About the song
Few songs capture the timeless essence of faith, family, and tradition quite like Willie Nelson’s Family Bible. Originally written in the 1950s, this heartfelt piece carries the weight of Nelson’s early struggles as a budding songwriter in a competitive music world. Before Willie became the legendary outlaw of country music, he sold this song for a mere $50 and the cost of a bar tab—decisions made in the lean years, but ones that set the foundation for his future.
The song itself is a nostalgic ode to simpler times, painted vividly through the lens of family gatherings and spiritual rituals. You can almost picture the scene: a family seated around the dinner table, the glow of a kerosene lamp, and the comforting presence of a well-worn Bible resting nearby. Its verses evoke memories of gospel hymns sung in harmony and the enduring strength of faith passed down through generations.
Though Nelson’s recording of Family Bible came years after it gained popularity through other artists, his version carries an authenticity only he could bring. With his signature voice—weathered and warm, like the pages of that old Bible—and his gentle, understated guitar work, Willie gives the song a tender, personal touch. It’s more than a piece of music; it’s a window into the values that shaped his life and career.
Listening to Family Bible is like stepping into a bygone era when family and faith were the pillars of everyday life. It’s a reminder of the grounding power of tradition and a testament to Nelson’s ability to turn the deeply personal into something universally resonant. For anyone who cherishes a connection to their roots, this song is a timeless treasure.
Video
Lyrics
There’s A Fam’ly Bible on the table
Each page is torn and hard to read
But The Fam’ly Bible on the table
Will ever be my key to memories.
At the close of day when work was over
And when the evening meal was done
Dad would read to us from The Fam’ly Bible
And we’d count our many blessings one by one.
I can see us sittin’ ’round the table
When from The Fam’ly Bible Dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing
Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages cleft for me.
This old world of ours is full of troubles
But this world would oh, so better be
If we’d find more Bibles on the table
And mothers singing Rock of Ages cleft for me.
I can see us sittin’ ’round the table
When from The Fam’ly Bible Dad would read
I can hear my mother softly singing
Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages cleft for me…
