Lyrics Page
Truth Be Told
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Sep 4, 2026 updated
Brand New album
Verified editorial review
Song Meaning
Matthew West opens "Truth Be Told" by naming two lies most people already believe without noticing: that you're supposed to have it all together, and that everyone else's life is easier than yours. Against that, the chorus admits what those lies are covering — "I'm fine... but I'm not, I'm broken" — turning the song into a confession rather than an encouragement. The second verse takes direct aim at church culture specifically: a sign reading "come as you are" that the singer doubts is actually true, because if it were, "every Sunday morning pew would be crowded." The line that reframes the whole song is the question about what church should look like — "more like a hospital, a safe place for the sick, the sinner, and the scarred" — replacing performance with the picture of a place built for people who are still unwell. The bridge pushes the confession one step further, asking directly whether it's possible to stand "unashamed" if God's love genuinely doesn't change based on what's admitted. Nothing in the song resolves neatly into triumph; it ends on the same request it started with — to let the truth be told — because admitting the truth, not fixing it, is presented as the actual point.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
Lie number one: You're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doin', just smile and tell them, "Never better"
Lie number two: Everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors
But truth be told
The truth is rarely told, no...
I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine"
But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control
But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When bein' honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told
There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are" but I doubt it
'Cause if we lived like that was true, every Sunday mornin' pew would be crowded
But didn't You say church should look more like a hospital?
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred, and the prodigals, like me
But truth be told, the truth is rarely told
Oh, am I the only one who says...
"I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine"
But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control
But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When bein' honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told
Can I really stand here unashamed
Knowin' that Your love for me won't change?
Oh God, if that's really true
Then let the truth be told
I say, "I'm fine, yeah, I'm fine, oh, I'm fine, hey, I'm fine"
But I'm not, I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control
But it's not and You know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When bein' honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin You don't already know
Yeah, I know
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin You don't already know
So let the truth be told