SECTION ONE

WORD

Category: Faith

Primary Emotion: Truth

Also Fits: Wisdom • Purpose • Reflection • Growth

WHAT THIS SONG IS ABOUT

Some songs begin with a melody. Others begin with an idea. This one began with a single word.

During my time incarcerated, I spent countless hours listening to conversations around me. One thing that stood out was hearing Indigenous inmates use the word “word.” They didn’t say it as a greeting or a habit. They used it when they wanted someone to know they were telling the truth.

“Word.”

It meant, Believe me.

I’m telling you the truth.

I stand behind what I just said.

That simple expression stayed with me long after the conversation ended. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that one word carried incredible weight. A person’s word is their honesty, their reputation, and their character. Once your word means nothing, trust begins to disappear.

As I continued reading, especially from two different versions of the Bible, I discovered another meaning. The Word wasn’t only something spoken between people. It also represented wisdom, guidance, truth, and something greater than ourselves. Rather than copying one version, I combined ideas from both while adding my own thoughts and imagination to create something that felt personal.

This song brings those two meanings together.

One comes from everyday life.

The other comes from spiritual reflection.

Both ask the same question.

What is your word worth?

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG

I never expected one small word to become a song.

I wasn’t searching for a title or trying to write about faith. I was simply paying attention to the people around me. Prison gives you a lot of time to observe, and if you’re willing to listen, you can learn from people whose lives are very different from your own.

Hearing the word “word” used as a promise fascinated me. It wasn’t about sounding tough. It was about trust. If someone gave you their word, they were putting their name behind what they had just said.

Around the same time, I had begun opening the Bible with genuine curiosity. I wasn’t trying to become a preacher or prove a point. I wanted to understand why these teachings had survived for thousands of years. Reading two different Bibles showed me different ways of expressing similar ideas, and that encouraged me to write from my own understanding instead of simply repeating what I had read.

That’s how this song was born.

One word.

Two meanings.

One rooted in human honesty.

One rooted in spiritual truth.

Both reminding us that every word we speak has consequences.

WHY I WROTE THIS SONG

I wrote this song because words shape every part of our lives.

A promise can change a future.

A lie can destroy trust.

A kind word can lift someone who is struggling.

A careless word can leave a wound that lasts for years.

Whether we believe in God or not, every one of us lives with the consequences of the words we choose.

I wanted to write a song that reminds us that our words matter because they become part of who we are.

WHY THIS MATTERS TO ME

Throughout my life I’ve met people from many different backgrounds. Construction, the railroad, everyday life, and incarceration all introduced me to people I might never have met otherwise.

Every one of them taught me something.

This song is my way of saying that wisdom doesn’t always come from where we expect it. Sometimes a single word spoken by someone else can stay with you for the rest of your life and eventually become a song.

That’s exactly what happened here.

WHY THIS SONG FITS MOITA

MOITA has always been about looking beneath the surface.

This isn’t simply a song about faith.

It isn’t simply a song about prison.

It isn’t simply a song about the Bible.

It’s about truth.

It’s about the value of keeping your word.

It’s about recognizing that wisdom can come from unexpected places if we’re willing to listen.

That’s why this song belongs in the MOITA library. Like so many others I’ve written, it began with a real experience, grew through curiosity, and became something much larger than the moment that inspired it.

READ THIS FIRST

Before you read the lyrics, remember that the word “Word” carries two meanings throughout this song.

The first is the meaning I learned from Indigenous inmates while I was incarcerated. It means, “Believe me. I’m telling you the truth. I stand behind what I’m saying.”

The second is the spiritual meaning of the Word as a source of wisdom, guidance, and truth.

As you read the lyrics, you’ll notice those two meanings slowly begin to merge until they become one message.

The words we choose become the life we live.

 

FULL LYRICS

WORD

How high is the sky? How far is
Space
rulers of powerful nations are held in honour
Rulers of weak nations are nothing at all.
In times of trouble, the wicked are destroyed
But even at death, the innocent have faith.
A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom
But it could be destroyed by her foolishness.
Fools are punished by their stupid talk
But sensible talk can save lives
A Honest witness tells the truth
A Dishonest witness nothing but lies

Fools don’t care if they are wrong
But God is pleased when they are right.
word

Everyone has a story be there or be nothing in a hurry
These words come from higher up
Keeping us in check for the wise ones to advise
Listen to all the words, big or small truth conquers all
The wise are wise they always think before they say
If you are the unwise Every word from your lips sink ships
Sets the stage for the know it all
In times of sorrow, the word may be borrowed
If not today, maybe tomorrow

Fools don’t care if they are wrong
But God is pleased when they are right
Word

How wide is the Earth? How deep is the oceans?
We live as one, but we are many in one place
As oceans create waves and words can separate us apart or bring us together
It’s stupid to say bad things about your neighbours
If your sensible, you will keep quiet
A gossip tales everything but a true friend will keep secret
Too much pride can put you to shame
it’s wise to be humble
Honesty can keep you safe, but if you can’t be truthful, you trapped yourself
Worthless people plan trouble
Even their words burn like flames of fire
Work hard you will be a leader
Be lazy you will end up a slave

Fools don’t care if they are wrong
But God is pleased when they are right.
Word

Everyone has a story be there or be nothing in a hurry
These words come from higher up
Keeping us in check for the wise ones to advise
Listen to all the words, big or small truth conquers all
The wise are wise they always think before they say
If you are the unwise Every word from your lips sink ships
Sets the stage for the know it all
In times of sorrow, the word may be borrowed
If not today, maybe tomorrow

Fools don’t care if they are wrong
But God is pleased when they are right
Word

Every word I ever heard means the word exists
River speak with authority and are never wrong
All those who are wise follow Road that leads them towards life and away from death
When a river is happy and pleased with you
It’s like refreshing rain and you will live

Word

Because I hear the word I feel the word I listen to the word I care about the word I sink the word I praise the word. I debate the word and I contemplate the word and react to the words and the word says it all.

And the word is great.

Word.

 

LYRIC BREAKDOWN

When I wrote WORD, I wasn’t trying to convince anyone to believe what I believe.

I was trying to make people think.

The title is the first place to start because it carries two meanings from the very beginning of the song.

The first meaning came from my time while I was incarcerated. I spent a lot of time listening instead of talking. One thing that stayed with me was hearing Indigenous inmates use the word “Word.” When they said it, they weren’t filling empty space in a conversation. They were saying, “Believe me.” They were putting their reputation behind what they had just said.

The second meaning came later through my own reading and reflection. While reading two different versions of the Bible, I kept seeing another meaning of the Word. It represented truth, wisdom, guidance, and something greater than ourselves.

Instead of choosing one meaning, I decided to let both travel through the entire song.

That’s why the title is so important.

Every time you hear Word, I want you to hear both meanings at the same time.

The song begins with two questions.

“How high is the sky? How far is space?”

Those questions aren’t there because I’m looking for answers.

They’re there to remind us that we live in a world that’s much bigger than we are. We spend a lot of time acting like we know everything, but the truth is we’re still learning. Before the song ever talks about wisdom, honesty, or faith, it starts with humility. That’s where I wanted the journey to begin.

The next lyrics move from the universe to human behaviour.

“Rulers of powerful nations are held in honour. Rulers of weak nations are nothing at all.”

That isn’t a political statement.

It’s an observation.

History shows us that people often admire power before they admire character. Strength attracts attention. Character takes longer to recognize. I wanted readers to think about whether we judge people by who they are or by how much power they have.

Then the song becomes more personal.

“In times of trouble, the wicked are destroyed. But even at death, the innocent have faith.”

Those two lines stand opposite each other.

One speaks about consequences.

The other speaks about hope.

Life isn’t always fair, but our choices still matter. I wanted those lines to remind us that character often shows itself most clearly when life becomes difficult.

The next part moves into family.

“A woman’s family is held together by her wisdom. But it could be destroyed by her foolishness.”

Some people might read that as criticism.

It isn’t.

The same idea could apply to a father, a husband, a son, or a daughter.

Families are influenced by the people inside them. One wise decision can calm a home. One foolish decision can damage relationships that took years to build.

The song isn’t judging women.

It’s talking about responsibility.

Then I move into something that affects every one of us.

“Fools are punished by their stupid talk. But sensible talk can save lives.”

Words have consequences.

I’ve seen friendships end because of words.

I’ve seen trust disappear because of words.

I’ve also seen one honest conversation change someone’s direction completely.

That’s why the next lyrics fit naturally.

“An honest witness tells the truth. A dishonest witness nothing but lies.”

There’s nothing complicated about those lines.

Truth builds trust.

Lies destroy it.

Everything else grows from those two choices.

Then we arrive at the chorus.

This is the heart of the song.

“Fools don’t care if they are wrong. But God is pleased when they are right.”

To me, that isn’t talking about making mistakes.

Everybody makes mistakes.

The difference is whether we’re willing to admit them.

A fool protects pride.

A wise person protects truth.

Being right isn’t about winning arguments.

It’s about living honestly.

It’s about choosing what is right even when nobody else is watching.

Then comes the single word.

Word.

The first time you hear it, maybe you think about the conversations that inspired the song.

The next time you hear it, maybe you think about faith.

By the end of the song, I hope you’re hearing both.

The next verse begins with one of my favourite ideas.

“Everyone has a story.”

I’ve believed that for most of my life.

Every person carries experiences we know nothing about. That’s one reason I enjoy listening to people. You never know when one sentence, one memory, or one simple expression will stay with you for years.

This entire song exists because I listened.

“These words come from higher up, keeping us in check for the wise ones to advise.”

Some readers will hear that spiritually.

Others will hear it as the wisdom that’s been passed from one generation to the next.

I’m comfortable with both.

Wisdom doesn’t always arrive in the same way.

Sometimes it comes through faith.

Sometimes through experience.

Sometimes through people we never expected to learn from.

“Listen to all the words, big or small, truth conquers all.”

That line reminds me not to overlook small moments.

Not every lesson changes your life overnight.

Sometimes one sentence sits quietly in your mind for twenty years before it finally finds its purpose.

That’s happened to me more times than I can count.

I’ve kept notebooks and scraps of ideas for most of my life. Many of those thoughts had no home when I first wrote them. Years later they became part of a song.

That’s how my creative process has always worked.

“The wise are wise. They always think before they say.”

That sounds easy.

Living it isn’t.

Most of us have spoken too quickly at some point in our lives.

Sometimes silence is the wiser choice.

Sometimes listening teaches us more than talking ever could.

Then comes the line,

“If you are the unwise, every word from your lips sinks ships.”

Most people know the old saying, “Loose lips sink ships.”

I wanted to build on that thought.

Words travel.

Rumours travel.

Lies travel.

Anger travels.

Long after we’ve forgotten what we said, someone else may still be living with the consequences.

The next verse keeps following the same road.

“Words can separate us apart or bring us together.”

To me, that’s one of the biggest truths in the whole song.

Words build marriages.

Words destroy marriages.

Words start friendships.

Words end friendships.

Words begin wars.

Words also begin peace.

Never underestimate what one sentence can do.

The lyrics about gossip, pride, humility, honesty, hard work, and leadership all belong together.

They aren’t random ideas.

They’re different pieces of character.

Character isn’t built in one dramatic moment.

It’s built one decision at a time.

One conversation at a time.

One promise at a time.

Near the end, the song slows down.

“Because I hear the word. I feel the word. I listen to the word. I care about the word. I sing the word. I praise the word. I debate the word. I contemplate the word.”

I wanted the song to become quieter here.

Not because it was ending.

Because this is where the listener has to decide what the word means to them.

Notice that I even say I debate the word.

I don’t believe growth comes from never asking questions.

Real understanding often grows because we’re willing to think, question, and keep learning.

The final line says,

“And the word is great.”

I left that open on purpose.

Some people will hear faith.

Some will hear truth.

Some will hear honesty.

Some will hear integrity.

To me, they’re all connected.

When I finished writing WORD, I realized this wasn’t really a song about prison.

It wasn’t really a song about the Bible.

It wasn’t even just a song about one word.

It became a song about what gives our lives credibility.

Because in the end, every one of us leaves something behind.

My hope is that when people remember us, they remember that our word meant something.

 

SECTION TWO

THE STORY

This song started because I listened.

That might sound simple, but some of the best lessons I’ve learned in life didn’t come from a classroom or a book. They came from paying attention to people.

While I was incarcerated, I spent a lot of time around Indigenous inmates. We came from different backgrounds and had different stories, but one thing I respected was that people often spoke from experience. If someone wanted you to know they were telling the truth, they would finish with one word.

“Word.”

The first few times I heard it, I didn’t think much about it. But the more I heard it, the more I realized that it carried weight. It wasn’t being used as slang. It was a person’s promise. It meant, “You can believe me. I’m standing behind what I just said.”

That stayed with me.

I’ve always been curious about why people say what they say. One word can have a dozen meanings depending on who is speaking, where they grew up, and what they’ve lived through. I found that fascinating.

Around that same time, I had started reading the Bible more seriously than I ever had before. I wasn’t trying to become a theologian, and I wasn’t looking for an argument about religion. I simply wanted to understand why these words had survived for thousands of years and why so many people built their lives around them.

Instead of reading just one translation, I read two. I noticed that the wording sometimes changed, but the ideas often remained the same. That made me think. Maybe the exact words weren’t always the point. Maybe it was the truth behind those words that mattered most.

That’s where this song took shape.

I never wanted to copy Scripture word for word. That wouldn’t have been my story. Instead, I wanted to write from my own perspective, using ideas that had made me stop and think, while blending them with my own observations about people and life.

The result became WORD.

It isn’t a sermon.

It isn’t a Bible lesson.

It isn’t a prison story.

It’s a conversation about truth.

The song moves between everyday life and something much deeper. It talks about honesty, gossip, pride, humility, wisdom, hard work, leadership, and the consequences of the choices we make. Those aren’t just religious ideas. They’re human ideas. Every one of us faces them, whether we realize it or not.

Looking back, I also realized something else.

Prison introduced me to people I probably never would have met otherwise. If I had ignored them because our lives were different, this song would never have existed.

Sometimes wisdom arrives from unexpected places.

Sometimes a conversation changes the way you think.

Sometimes a single word follows you long after the conversation ends.

For me, that word was Word.

When I finished writing this song, I realized it wasn’t really about prison anymore.

It wasn’t even just about faith.

It had become a reminder that every one of us leaves a mark through the words we speak.

Our word becomes our reputation.

Our reputation becomes our character.

And our character becomes the story people remember after we’re gone.

That’s the story behind this song.

It all started with one word that meant, “Believe me.”

By the time I finished writing, it had grown into something that asked a much bigger question.

What does your word say about you?

 

SECTION THREE

LYRIC EXPLORATION

The title of this song is only one word, but it carries two completely different meanings that slowly become one as the song unfolds.

The first meaning is personal.

It comes from something I experienced while I was incarcerated. Hearing Indigenous inmates say “word” taught me that a single word could carry honesty, respect, and accountability. It meant, “Believe me. I’m telling you the truth.” It wasn’t something people threw around carelessly. When someone said it, they were putting their reputation behind what they had just said.

The second meaning comes from reading and reflecting on the Bible. There, “the Word” represents truth, wisdom, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and God. I didn’t want to copy Scripture. I wanted to understand it, think about it, and express those ideas through my own voice.

That’s why this song works on two levels from beginning to end.

The opening asks two enormous questions.

“How high is the sky? How far is space?”

Those aren’t questions expecting measurements. They’re questions about perspective.

Human beings know so much, yet there is still so much we cannot explain. Before talking about truth, the song reminds us how small we really are in comparison to the universe. It encourages humility before it ever begins talking about wisdom.

The next group of lyrics moves quickly through different observations about life.

Powerful nations receive honour.

Weak nations are often ignored.

The wicked eventually face consequences.

The innocent continue believing.

Families are strengthened by wisdom and weakened by foolishness.

Honest witnesses build trust.

Dishonest witnesses destroy it.

At first those ideas may seem unrelated, but they all point toward the same truth.

Every decision begins with what we believe and the words we choose to live by.

The chorus is intentionally simple.

“Fools don’t care if they are wrong
But God is pleased when they are right.
Word.”

That final word changes depending on how the listener hears it.

If someone remembers the conversations that inspired this song, “Word” means, “Believe me.”

If someone is thinking spiritually, “Word” becomes a reminder of truth that reaches beyond human opinion.

Neither interpretation cancels the other.

They strengthen each other.

One comes from everyday experience.

The other comes from faith.

Together they ask whether our lives actually reflect what we claim to believe.

The verses continue exploring everyday human behaviour.

They speak about gossip, pride, humility, honesty, hard work, leadership, laziness, and personal responsibility.

These aren’t random topics.

They’re the building blocks of character.

Our lives are rarely changed by one dramatic moment. They’re usually shaped by ordinary choices repeated day after day. Every conversation, every promise, every lie, every act of honesty slowly builds the person we become.

One line that stands out is:

“Words can separate us apart or bring us together.”

That may be one of the simplest lines in the song, but it reflects something every person has experienced.

Relationships have been built through encouragement.

Families have been repaired through forgiveness.

Friendships have ended because of careless words.

Wars have begun because of words.

Peace has also begun because of words.

Language is one of humanity’s greatest gifts, but it can also become one of its greatest weapons.

Later, the song says:

“Every word I ever heard means the word exists.”

I wanted that line to leave room for reflection rather than provide one fixed answer.

Every one of us is influenced by words.

Parents shape us.

Teachers shape us.

Friends shape us.

Books shape us.

Faith shapes many people.

Experience shapes everyone.

The question isn’t whether words influence us.

The question is which words we choose to carry forward.

The ending becomes almost meditative.

“Because I hear the word,
I feel the word,
I listen to the word,
I care about the word,
I sing the word, I praise the word,
I debate the word,
I contemplate the word.”

That repetition is intentional.

Truth shouldn’t simply be repeated.

It should be examined.

Questioned.

Discussed.

Lived.

Real understanding rarely comes from blind acceptance. It grows through curiosity, reflection, and experience.

The song closes with one final statement.

“And the word is great.”

After everything that came before it, those words are left deliberately open.

Some readers will hear faith.

Some will hear integrity.

Some will hear honesty.

Some will hear hope.

For me, that’s exactly where this song was always meant to end.

Not by telling people what to believe.

But by inviting them to ask themselves one simple question.

If someone judged my life by my word alone, what would they learn about me?

 

SECTION FOUR

REFLECTION

When I finished writing WORD, I realized I hadn’t written a song that was trying to convince anyone of anything.

I’d written a song that asks us to slow down and think.

In today’s world, words are everywhere. We hear them on television, on social media, in politics, in our homes, at work, and from complete strangers. Every day we’re surrounded by opinions, promises, arguments, headlines, and conversations. Some words encourage us. Some divide us. Some inspire us. Some leave scars that can last for years.

The question isn’t whether words have power.

They always have.

The real question is whether we understand the responsibility that comes with speaking them.

One thing I’ve learned throughout my life is that trust is difficult to earn and incredibly easy to lose. A reputation isn’t built in one day. It’s built one conversation at a time, one promise at a time, one decision at a time. Eventually people stop listening to what you say and start watching whether your actions match your words.

That’s true in families.

It’s true in friendships.

It’s true in business.

It’s true in leadership.

It’s true in faith.

A person’s word becomes part of their identity.

Looking back, it’s amazing to think that this entire song grew from listening to one simple expression while I was incarcerated. A single word that meant, “Believe me,” eventually became a song about honesty, wisdom, faith, responsibility, and the choices we all make every day.

That reminds me of something I never want to forget.

We never know where the next lesson in life is going to come from.

Sometimes it comes from someone older.

Sometimes from a child.

Sometimes from a book.

Sometimes from a stranger.

Sometimes from someone the world has already judged.

If we’re willing to listen instead of assuming we already know everything, life has a way of teaching us when we least expect it.

That’s one of the biggest lessons this song left with me.

The other is even simpler.

Whether someone believes in God, follows another faith, or has no faith at all, every person understands the value of honesty. We all want people to keep their promises. We all hope our friends tell us the truth. We all appreciate someone whose word actually means something.

Maybe that’s why this song speaks to me.

It reminds me that before people remember our accomplishments, our possessions, or our titles, they’ll often remember something much simpler.

Whether our word meant anything.

If this song encourages even one person to think a little longer before speaking, to keep one more promise, or to listen more carefully to the people around them, then it has already accomplished more than I ever expected.

Thank you for spending your time with me and for allowing this story to become part of yours. I hope you leave this page not only remembering the song, but also thinking about the value of your own word and the kind of legacy it creates.

MOITA

WHERE EVERY SONG TELLS A STORY

EVERY STORY TEACHES SOMETHING

 

SECTION FIVE

MOITA DOCUMENTARY & LEARNING CENTRE

THE POWER OF A WORD

Every civilization in history has understood that words carry power.

Long before people could write books, laws, or songs, knowledge was passed from one generation to the next by speaking. Stories preserved history. Elders shared wisdom. Parents taught children. Entire cultures survived because someone remembered the right words and passed them on.

Before there were libraries, there were voices.

Before there were books, there were storytellers.

Before there were recordings, there was memory.

One word spoken at the right moment could change a person’s life.

That has never changed.

WHY PEOPLE GIVE THEIR WORD

Across cultures, giving your word has always meant more than making a promise.

It means placing your reputation behind what you say.

For many people, breaking your word was once considered worse than losing money or status because trust was difficult to rebuild.

Even today we still hear expressions like:

“My word is my bond.”

“I give you my word.”

“Take me at my word.”

Although the wording changes between cultures, the idea remains remarkably similar.

Our character is revealed by whether our actions match our words.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIGENOUS ORAL TRADITIONS

One reason this song means so much to me is because it began by listening.

Many Indigenous cultures have strong oral traditions where knowledge, history, values, and identity are passed from generation to generation through spoken stories rather than written documents.

Listening is an important part of learning.

Respect for Elders.

Respect for experience.

Respect for truth.

These traditions remind us that wisdom does not only exist inside books. It also lives inside people who are willing to share what they have learned.

Although the word “word” inspired this song in a very personal way, the larger lesson I carried away was to pay attention when people speak with honesty.

Sometimes the greatest lessons arrive in ordinary conversations.

THE WORD IN FAITH

The second half of this song naturally leads toward faith.

Many religions speak about the importance of words.

In Christianity, the Bible often describes God’s Word as truth, guidance, wisdom, and life.

In Judaism, sacred teachings are studied, discussed, and passed from generation to generation.

In Islam, the revealed word is central to faith and daily life.

Many other religions and spiritual traditions also recognize that spoken truth has the power to guide human behaviour.

Although beliefs differ, one idea appears again and again.

Words have consequences.

They can encourage.

They can teach.

They can comfort.

They can divide.

The responsibility belongs to the person speaking them.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HONESTY

Psychologists have spent decades studying trust.

Healthy relationships are built on consistency.

When our words and actions agree, people naturally trust us more.

When they repeatedly disagree, trust slowly disappears.

Trust is rarely destroyed by one mistake.

It is usually weakened through repeated broken promises, half-truths, and inconsistency.

That is why honesty matters so much.

Not because anyone is perfect.

Because trust allows people to build families, friendships, communities, and societies together.

THE SCIENCE OF LANGUAGE

Human language is one of the most remarkable abilities our species possesses.

Through language we can describe the past, imagine the future, solve problems together, preserve knowledge, create music, write laws, and express emotions that would otherwise remain trapped inside us.

Every song ever written exists because language allows thoughts to become something another person can experience.

Without words, songs would lose their stories.

QUESTIONS WORTH THINKING ABOUT

What does your word mean to the people who know you best?

Have you ever changed someone’s life with something simple you said?

Has someone else’s advice stayed with you for years?

Who taught you the importance of honesty?

What words do you hope people remember you for?

Sometimes the best answers don’t arrive immediately.

Sometimes they stay with us long after the music ends.

CONTINUE EXPLORING

If this song has made you curious, these are excellent places to continue learning:

• Read the Book of Proverbs and compare different Bible translations to see how wording changes while the central ideas often remain remarkably consistent.
• Explore the oral traditions and storytelling practices of Indigenous peoples in your own region to better understand how wisdom has been preserved across generations.
• Learn about the psychology of trust, communication, and human relationships through university courses, books, and educational lectures.
• Read about the history of language and how spoken communication shaped civilizations long before writing existed.

The more we understand words, the more carefully we choose them.

The more carefully we choose them, the more meaningful our lives become.

MOITA