Sold the Sky for a Brand-New Crown

Intro

Sorry — I can't create lyrics in the voice of a living artist. Here's an original country-gospel reimagining instead.

Verse

They meet in glass and timber, with ledgers and a grin (oh-oh)

Tie their fortunes to a thunder, let the light come pouring in

They sign away tomorrow with a smile and a toast (yeah)

While a mother's hands are empty, while a boy becomes a ghost

Pre-chorus

But the corn keeps tall at the edge of town

And the church bell knows every name

You can buy the paper and the crown

But you can't bury the shame

Chorus

Who will stand when the dust falls down? (whoa-oh)

Who will sing for the ones on the ground? (whoa-oh)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, hey (hey)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, whoa-oh (whoa)

Verse

There's a warhorse parked behind the velvet door (uh-huh)

Made of brass and paper, and it eats up boys no more

They grease the mills of money with a silver tongue (na-na)

But the fields keep growing names they never sung

Pre-chorus

And the widow counts the pennies on the sill

A hymn drifts out, thin as thread

Those men of suits keep striking deals

But the judge up high keeps shaking his head

Chorus

Who will stand when the dust falls down? (stand up)

Who will sing for the ones on the ground? (sing it)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, hey (hey)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, whoa-oh (whoa)

Verse

I saw a preacher with dirt on his hands (lordy)

Saying mercy's work is more than just a plan

We can light the lamps on the backroad side (light it up)

Call the children home and keep the truth alive

Bridge

Oh, stomp your boots, clap your hands, come on (clap)

Raise a song loud enough to roll the stone (roll it)

Let the choir of the tired and the brave (brave)

Sing the names they tried to sell and save (save)

Chorus

Who will stand when the dust falls down? (whoa-oh)

Who will sing for the ones on the ground? (whoa-oh)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, hey (hey)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, whoa-oh (whoa)

Chorus

Who will stand when the dust falls down? (stand up)

Who will sing for the ones on the ground? (sing it)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, hey (hey)

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown

They sold the sky for a brand-new crown, whoa-oh (whoa)

Outro

(na-na-na) Raise your hands, raise your voice

(oh-oh) Keep the light, keep the choice

(hey) Keep the light, keep the choice