[Intro]
How can we know love, when we were never shown it?

[Verse 1]
Little Richie was the runt of the litter, given a thick hide by father and brothers
Identified more with his sisters and mother
Always felt a bit different from the others
A loving marriage from the outside, but oh, how ferociously he'd hit her
Richie stood by the bleach white bedside
Ma' held his face in her hands while he cried:
"Hush, now, precious lamb, everything will be alright
I know how it looks but I swear he's a good man
Oh baby, God has a much bigger plan
I have my family, I have my health and I'm quite content with that"

[Chorus]
How can you say this time that it will be alright?
How can you still look in his eyes and see the love of your life?
He works all things for good, in the end, it's love that wins
In the end, it is love
In the end, it is love! (In)

[Breakdown]
Love was his inclination
Belief, his dearest passion
A beautiful escape from resentment, fear of the next crushing blow
[Verse 2]
(How can we know love when we were never shown it?)
He'd wait on his lonesome, for that blue hair in her station wagon
(How can we know love when were never shown it?)
Attending those Baptist services alone
In the house of the Lord he found purpose and a home
Richie stood on a chair, peeked over the pulpit, reminded himself and the beloved, not lacking in youthful wit
This is what's promised: he works all things for good, in the end, it's love, that wins
How are we to know how to love, when every attempt is met with the back of a hand?
It would only be love to mend the damned, who never grew to knew compassion
Just another unfortunate—beaten senseless by his old man

[Chorus]
How can you say this time that it will be alright?
How can you still look in his eyes and see the love of your life?
He works all things for good, in the end, it's love that wins!
(How can we know love when were never shown it?)
An heirloom passed down before its day
(How can we know love when were never shown it?)
Legacy came violently to rip innocence away