Original subtitles

I was in the hospital listening

to the machines breathe.

And all I could think of was how he drew the stars.

And how before he got his first zit,

God called him to preach the gospel to the multitudes.

Lift up your hands. Oh, thank you Jesus.

Hallelujah.

As I got down on my knees and began to pray...

And how all these magazines were calling him

America's next Billy Graham.

You were dead and don't know it.

So, I guess I don't blame him

for being really angry all the time,

since 30 years after the White House press secretary

called him to pray with the president

about the world and all its unrest...

- Hallelujah! - God called him to...

Hallelujah!

this lame, hick church in the middle of nowhere.

So, who will come? If you want a new life because your life

seems meaningless, God opens his arms and He says come.

"Come unto Me, you who are weary

and I will give you rest."

"I will give you beauty... for ashes."

So, who will come?

It's just that you're so overqualified

and at the salary that we're able to pay you.

I'm qualified to serve where the Lord calls me.

And right now, the Lord is... is calling us to Leonard.

Actually, Adam blamed me for the Lord calling him

to the hick church in the middle of nowhere.

But not like officially, in front of the deacons and all.

The church has a small house in town

if you can start before Christmas.

We were a family of secrets.

And we were moving to the middle of nowhere.

The safest place in the whole world to keep secrets secret.

But it wasn't safe at all.

The police wanted to know about the events

leading up to the incident at the motel.

I told them that even though it had been going on

for like forever, it all started with the fire.

That didn't stop burning until every lie

they had ever told me

and every lie they had ever told each other

was burned to ash.

Mo?

Maurene?

Mo... where were you? I was calling.

I was nowhere. Just here. Getting ear plugs.

Well remember you have to share

at the women's luncheon this afternoon.

I... I've written a few things without the revivalist flare

that you hate. More your words.

I can write my own speech, Adam.

Just in case you decide to run away to Chadwick Castle

and spend the morning with Lord Nathan.

Who wrote the valedictorian speech

at our high school graduation?

- Ear plugs? - She found friends.

- Fine. - Annie...

- how was your rehearsal? - Did you not hear us?

Of course I heard you.

- What is this? - Homework.

You did your homework? Honey...

It's called Sunny Days, ma'am.

And yet I don't see the sun.

Yeah, I kinda think that's the genius of it, sir.

You know, the no sun part. Stephen Miller, sir.

This here's Cliff and that's Kyle.

They're just a young, country band, Adam.

The Leonard Bullriders.

Formerly the Leonard Bullriders.

As of this morning we're gonna be called

Inger Lorre's Magic Pillow.

Even though we have no idea who Inger Lorre is.

- I do. - She's a vampire.

My daughter's favorite vampire.

Yeah, she ate a teacup of maggots

in a music video once.

So, Mo, uh, if you're not gonna spend time

with Lord Nathan today,

maybe you could unpack some of these boxes.

We're a few addresses behind on some of 'em.

Boys.

Uh, would you boys like some breakfast?

- Yes ma'am. - Sure.

- Sure. - While I was waiting

for Sticksboy and the Bullriders in the street,

I kept thinking about how it's written in a book

that one day while he was cooking swordfish steaks

in his backyard, Inger Lorre's agent showed her

the exact spot where a UFO landed,

and where Jesus Christ himself got out

and told him to sign Axl Rose. And just 'cause he was her agent

and happened to be the agent who signed Guns N' Roses,

she probably just had to sit there and say, "Wow, really?",

all the time.

God, really. What?

- What is that? - That... that Anne, is a hymnal.

And in it are hymns that have comforted the saints

through war, plague, famine and earthquake.

Wow, really?

And I thought it would be an excellent idea

if you and your Magic Pillow updated one.

- You mean cover a Baptist hymn? - Yeah.

- Yeah right. - Let me rephrase it, Anne.

If you wanna continue to play your vampire music...

- Which it's not. - If you wanna continue

to play your music in the garage of the church's parsonage,

I suggest hymn 567.

It's a Christmas favorite of mine.

And don't let me catch you smoking again.

Okay, Adam. You won't.

No more smoking, Anne.

And it is Dad. It's not Adam.

I'm your father. Not one of your little friends.

All right, Anne?

Thank you.

Oh God, what?

You remember what Dr. Cruz said about happy thoughts?

- Yes. - Happy thoughts

are just as easy as the sad ones.

Yes.

That hymn. It's all about a new and glorious morning.

Wouldn't that make ya happy?

New and glorious morning?

Here in Leonard, Adam?

All right, Anne.

I'll leave you alone.

♪ Beautiful girl ♪

♪ Lay the weight off on the Son, you will get better ♪

♪ You will get better ♪

What?

Oh yeah, sorry.

Hey... you gotta stop fetching doors for her Stephen,

- she doesn't like that. - I know Cliff.

Hell, they got a name for the kind of man

she's turned you into, boy.

Yeah, Dracula.

- Shut up. - What?

She is turning him into Dracula.

- Her dad even said... - What did I just say, Puke?

Didn't I just tell you to shut up?

Get in the truck, Kyle.

We're late as it is and I ain't waiting.

There a problem, Sticksboy?

I'm just wondering. Lord Nathan's your dog, right?

Now I know everybody did their English assignment

and can't wait to share it in front of the class.

Giving us the privilege of your poetic vision.

So, who'd like to go first?

Ms. Wells. Wonderful.

They're all ashes, Pastor Wells.

- Ashes, who? - The Lord for starters,

and Mary and Joseph

along with the shepherds and all three kings,

including that African American Ethiopian brother.

Oh, just the Magi star's still standing, praise Jesus!

Seems like, uh, John Cutter

got a little outta control last night.

- Good morning Pastor. - Chief Burns.

Little ain't the word, Chief, and you know it.

And I don't care if he is supposed to restore

Main Street, John Cutter burned up the Lord on high

and probably blasphemed the Holy Ghost while he's at it.

Maggie, will you please settle down?

Even got himself an attorney so he could get the law

to finish the job that his gasoline and matches

- could not, Pastor. - An attorney?

Go on, tell him, Gene.

I am the night.

I am your night...

descending upon you as your day slips away too suddenly.

I am the alien pod germinating in your bowels.

Zapping all your bodily fluids.

Keeping you alive just long enough

to see me bust out of your corpse

with teeth like razors and acid in my blood, and slime.

Slowly, dripping, slime.

Your barren, infertile...

slimy night is upon you.

Well, uh, thank you Ms. Wells...

for your poem entitled "Some Happy Thoughts."

That was quite...

Mo?

- Yeah, Adam. Mm-hmm. - I wanted to remind you,

Margaret'll be by at 11 to drive you to the luncheon.

And she'll have my notes... just in case.

Okay?

That's fine, Adam.

I think it's great you're taking the initiative.

Yes, just know that you will be a real blessing to our women.

I can't wait to hear the praise report.

- Cutter's Lawyer? - All the way

from Washington, D.C., Pastor. Wants to meet ya ASAP.

The talon-toed demon.

My wife wanted me to review her speech before the luncheon.

Will you return it to her before she speaks?

Of course, Pastor.

- What's this? - What the administration

and the police missed at Columbine and Virginia Tech,

Mr. Johnston.

This morning, I'm going to share with you...

the story of Sarah. The woman who laughed at God.

Pastor.

So nice to meet you, Pastor Wells.

- Mr. Bitner. - Coffee, Pastor?

Adam. No, thank you.

Well let me say what a pleasure it is to meet...

What is a civil liberties group doing in Leonard, Mr. Bitner?

Well Adam, our civil liberties group

is in Leonard because Leonard, by erecting a religious display

on public property, is in violation

of the establishment clause of the first amendment

of the United States constitution.

Your client destroyed the religious display

- last night. - Not the star.

My client wants it removed.

I'll tell you what, Mr. Bitner.

Holden, Adam.

The creche was church property...

- Yes, we know. - If your client, Holden,

would like to replace it with a nativity of equal

or greater value, then the church will not bring

destruction of private property charges against him.

You don't really believe I'm here about a misdemeanor.

If you do not remove that star, Adam,

you will not only have a multi-million dollar

constitutional lawsuit to fund,

but the full digging through your trash at night,

beam of the national spotlight, glaring down upon you,

your little flock and your family.

- National spotlight in Leonard? - This is not about Leonard.

This is about the next Billy Graham

versus a former United States senator.

"And so in conclusion... Sarah laughed.

Twice she laughed.

Once at the promise... she was, after all, 90 years old

and barren...

and again, the day she held Isaac. Her newborn baby

and God's manifest promise in her arms.

So, if the miracle you're wanting to give birth to

seems like a joke... remember Sarah...

whose descendants would eventually

outnumber the stars in the firmament...

and know that there's still the miracle birth

of a great nation in you."

Said he wants it removed by the weekend.

The mayor is terrified that they'll jeopardize

the Senator's revitalization project

if the city doesn't comply.

But, the creche, Mo... is church property,

on loan to the city, which gives me legal recourse.

Anyway, I've scheduled an emergency meeting

with the board this afternoon

and petitioned for a public hearing tomorrow night.

This could get big and very public... involving

the national news media.

They'll find out everything, Mo.

Everything.

But we knew this day was coming and... we have nothing to hide.

So anyway, uh, we'll talk about it later.

It's a petition signed by everybody,

stating that, uh, just because

you're a little different than the rest of us,

and your favorite color is obviously black,

and you probably own a trench coat...

And her poetry made you hurl, Suze.

Doesn't mean that we don't accept you

for who you are. And facing our fears,

offer you a big, Leonard High School hug.

Oh, and I really do miss riding Midnight, Stevie.

Sure, she misses you riding her, Suze.

Really? That's so sweet.

Brittneys of the world must die.

No. Now you don't mean that, Annie.

Or any of that other stuff you said earlier, right?

Stuff?

You know how you were the night, and...

Yeah or an alien pod germinating Ms. Harper's bowels

- until uh... - You were just trying

to shock us, right?

Right, like how Marilyn Manson might really drive an SUV,

- Stevie? - Right.

Wait, Marilyn Manson drives an SUV?

Ms. Wells?

My mother drives an SUV.

Police Chief Burns would like a word with you please.

So, who's Midnight anyway, Sticksboy?

That's my horse.

Wow, that is like so original.

- What, is she, like, black? - Now, Ms. Wells.

Oh, and Tucker... Chief Burns said

you better not be late for work today, all right?

- Yeah... I'll make an effort. - Excuse me?

Listen son, you wanna spend the rest of your senior year

in Denton Juvie, you just keep breaking your probation.

He'll be there sir.

Make sure of it, Mr. Miller.

It's powder puff blue with baby proof windows

and with side airbags.

Yeah, that's 'cause Marilyn Manson's a punk ass

- pukey baby. Like you, Cliff. - Ow.

- Stop now. - Right Stephen? Yes, you could.

That hurts.

Flat our refusing to pay bail, Chief.

Says he wants to spend the night.

Waiting for the hairspray and teeth people is my guess.

Shut that door, Jimmy.

Pastor Wells... is your daughter

on psychiatric medication of any kind?

Do you own a gun?

Meet me in the car, Anne.

We had a steady gig at the Lazy T.

Yeah, folks around here were comparing

the Bullriders to the Oak Ridge Boys?

On our way I figured on getting our palm prints

- on the wall with Billy Bob. - Wow, really?

But you're not gonna steal my band, freak.

Or Stephen.

I didn't know you and Stephen were so in love.

Me and Stevie. Three weeks after he lost his old man.

I practically had to nurse him back to normal life.

What's it say on the back?

What's it say on the back, freak?

- That you're brothers forever. - That's right.

Now let go of me.

You know a little while after Stephen gave me

this picture here...

him and me went whitetail hunting

with my old man.

You see Stephen he's... he's got this ten-point buck

right in his sights. And he starts thinking about it.

You know, being just seconds from dead. Not knowing it.

And I guess he's pitying him.

'Cause he can't pull the trigger.

- So, what's your point? - The point... Inger...

is just 'cause Stephen's got feelings of pity for things

just seconds from dead...

you know for things that be dead already

except for dumb luck is what I hear,

- don't mean I do. - Good. I'm glad.

Don't be thinking there's any boundaries

between you and me, freak.

That'd be a mistake... you thinking that.

Is there a problem, Tucker?

No, no sir, no problem.

Well I was just inviting Ms. Wells here over to my house

to see that trophy buck I got hanging on my wall.

I'll see ya in the morning, Inger.

In the car, Anne, right now.

It's really very good, Adam.

It has passion... and a relentless

use of Poe-esque imagery

- in this fierce sense of... - It's alien pods, Maurene.

And slime.

Didn't we discuss this this morning, Anne?

- Didn't we? - Yes.

- All right, Adam. - Wouldn't you agree

that saying that your blood is like acid

- is not a happy thought? - Adam!

- Wouldn't you agree, Anne? - Yes, I would agree.

- That's enough! - Do you wanna get better, Anne?

That's enough, Adam!

Sweetheart.

When you describe the night as being barren

and infertile, what do you mean?

- May I be excused? - No.

Does it have anything to do with

the fact that your father and I are unable

- to have another baby? - This is not about us, Maurene.

- What is it sweetie? - I'd really like

to be excused now.

This is about the fact that our daughter...

Is not a potential high school terrorist!

And the fact that you could even think that...

You're excused, Anne. Anne!

I don't know how you and your Magic Pillow

are gonna learn my favorite hymn

when the hymnal is in the trash can.

Did you read the poem, Adam?

- Yes, I read the poem. - Then you didn't understand it.

- I understand. - If all you're upset about

is that your staff meeting was interrupted by the police...

I understand, Maurene... that if we fail in Leonard,

I might as well be a floor greeter at Big Mart.

There will not be another offer to pastor.

So, I'm sorry if I'm not excited

about the poem's poesque use of imagery

- or it's fierce sense of... - Honesty.

It's honest. It's what she feels, Adam.

It's the same thing starting all over.

- You don't understand. - I understand.

I've tried, I've tried to connect with her.

- I've tried to make her feel... - Like your daughter?

Mo... there comes a point when you've got to go on.

And I'm not gonna be respectfully asked to step down

from a third pastorate in five years

because of another one of her tantrums. Not this time.

Not now.

Now that the national media is sending satellite trucks

to Leonard? Is that what you mean?

Adam.

We have each other.

Even if you're a floor greeter...

we can still...

Jesus sat down, run to the Holy Ghost, got up.

Oh yes He did! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus!

She's not afraid of you, Adam.

Not like you were afraid of your father.

I revered my father.

Maybe not enough.

So, I suggest that you try another approach

if you really want poems about blue skies and sunny days.

And I don't ever want to hear the story of Sarah again.

Do you understand me?

My dad used to take me out here

when I was little.

- Here? - Yeah.

It was an old movie theater.

I remember, I didn't even like know

what was going on, you know, like up on the screen.

I just, I always remember he was just like so impressed...

by like the electricity that was going on

- between the actors. - Chemistry, you mean?

Huh? Yeah... right.

Not with my old man.

Uh, he worked for the power company,

so he was always talking about amperes and ohms and...

You know I guess what I'm kinda trying to say, Annie is...

I think that me and you have like that electricity...

- Yeah, time to go. - Wait, Annie.

I'm trying to tell you that I think...

That you and I have all this ohm between us.

Yeah, no, I get that.

I mean, yeah. Don't you?

So what, then you're gonna try to put your mouth on me,

- Sticksboy? - Right... no wrong.

I was... I wouldn't do that.

Never. I mean... why would I do that?

So then I wouldn't have to hurt you, you mean?

Yeah.

Right.

You ever think about the stars, Sticksboy?

Uh, Gwyneth.

I used to think about Gwyneth Paltrow all...

No. The stars stars.

Oh, um...

Yeah, I think about the stars.

Like what's beyond the farthest one?

I mean to be honest, Annie,

I don't even think they have a telescope where you can see

- the farthest star. - I used to know.

But not anymore.

Now I just know what you know. What everybody else knows.

- That being? - That we all live under this...

terrifyingly unsolvable mystery.

That nobody ever talks about.

Ever.

So, you don't let anyone kiss you, like ever?

Got great news about the Bullriders, Stephen.

Can't wait. I'll be by.

You looking for these?

I said, you looking for these, boy?

Lunch money for school.

I'll leave a fiver on the table

for you in the morning.

Now go on, get the hell outta my vehicle.

Get back in the house!

Go to bed!

♪ In the warm First morning light ♪

♪ When the world stops Turning onto me ♪

♪ In the silence of the night When the world stops turning ♪

That was Patty's favorite.

I only, uh, listened to it once or... twice.

Short candles, dude. Hated the Cure.

No, no, Calvin, you're mistaken.

Patty was the big fan.

Sorry Calvin, what brings you to Leonard again?

What's with the Calvin business, Ad-man?

It's Callie. We like hung out in high school, dude.

- We did? - Hell yeah.

You were missed... both of you,

at our high school reunion last month.

Everybody like totally missed you guys.

And, uh, as the president

of the Fighting Wolverines student body, hoo-ha,

and since I was in Dallas on business

I thought I'd stop by and catch up.

This way I can e-mail answers to your classmates'

many, many inquiries.

It was all in the e-mail I sent this morning.

You got the e-mail, right?

No, I didn't check e-mail today.

Did you, Adam?

Oh, is this all about you, Ad-man?

"Even if it means taking his fight

from a jail cell in Leonard, Texas,

to the United States Supreme Court."

Dang dude.

You just might save the world after all.

So obviously I couldn't have picked a more...

Inconvenient time. I'm afraid so, Calvin.

It's Callie... Renie.

You know I drive a Porsche Panamera.

I own a villa in Barbados

and I got a drawer full of cashmere boxers.

Totally maximizing my life experience.

But... I'm ever grounded by the fact

that the photo cube on my desk at work

is still filled with stock photos

of the models... that came with the purchase.

Why thank you... Calvin, for stopping by.

No, no, no. Thank you, Ad-man.

Maurene.

Don't be long, Ad-man... Adam.

So, we played basketball together.

That's how you know my wife and I?

Actually bro, only one of us played.

But hey, you're about to save the world.

- Anne. - Who is he?

- I thought you were out. - The man that was just here.

Who is he?

He's no one.

He's just a boy that I knew in school.

Night.

Forgotten how much that bugged me in high school.

You cheering and me sitting on the bench

'cause I... spent my summers on mission trips in Mexico...

instead of a basketball camp fixing a wayward jump shot.

Do you remember Ms. Moore's Tom Thumb wedding?

In the 2nd grade.

Do you remember how she chose you and me

to be husband and wife?

And how when all the other kids,

they were just giggling and gagging...

you and I were so serious.

Even when the other boys teased you, Adam...

you never stopped acting the part.

That was the year that my father left my mother.

But I remember thinking that...

I mean it didn't matter to me

that you were this miracle preaching boy...

just... that if my own father... had acted a little more

like this boy in my class...

that's when I knew that I wanted to marry you.

In the second grade?

I couldn't multiply or divide, but I was right there

in my mom's garden... stuffed to my nose

in her tea cups of sunshine.

I was informing her that we'd played this game in school

and I already knew the boy I was gonna marry.

I want you to do whatever you think is right

with this nativity situation.

We're gonna have to tell Annie.

She's gonna have to be told the truth, Mo.

Must've been lost.

The e-mail... that Calvin insists he sent.

I know you were online this morning.

And that you don't have any reason to.

Don't be up late, Adam.

I don't know why I said what I said

to Stephen about the stars.

I like, never even thought about the stars.

And definitely not what was beyond the farthest one.

But the minute I said it, I realized that the truth was,

I like, thought about it all the time.

And that I didn't know what was worse,

not knowing what was beyond the farthest star

or having this sinking feeling that never went away,

that I knew once... but forgot.

Like how Adam knew what it was like

to be America's next Billy Graham.

And how Maurene knew what it was like

to give the valedictorian speech at her high school graduation.

But the part that sucked most...

was how they were all like... putting all this pressure on me

to solve the mystery of my life.

You have a visitor, Senator. He says you're expecting him.

I'm sorry I'm late, Senator.

When their lives were just as terrifyingly unsolvable.

♪ Away ♪

♪ Wish you could Feel what I feel now ♪

♪ Wish you could Feel so alone now ♪

♪ It's like I'm watching A disappearing act ♪

♪ Your silence echoes Through my brain ♪

♪ Remind me of all my Suffering ♪

♪ Wish I could just do A disappearing act ♪

♪ I said nothing ♪

- What? - You tell me what, Anne.

- We had a deal. - No, you had a deal.

I come in here expecting to hear hymn 567

and all I get is vampire music. It's not vampire music.

Then what is it, Anne, what?

- It's just a song, sir. - About what, Mr. Miller?

What is my daughter's song about?

Don't run off, Anne. Your dad just wants to know

- what the song's about. - No, he doesn't.

Yes, I do. I would really like to know.

Adam, just descended upon us from above,

because Adam wanted to trick us

- into one of his sermons - What did I tell you, Anne?

- About how rock... - Didn't I tell you that I expect

to be called...

Dad!

I get it. You're hurting me. Let go.

Hell, right sir?

Rock music comes straight from the pit of Hell... right?

We'll get our gear out this morning, Pastor Wells.

Thank you, Mr. Miller.

We can get our gig back at the Lazy T. And yesterday...

- I tried to come over last night - No.

Stephen, 'cause yesterday principal over at the Alamo,

called about the Bullriders playing homecoming.

- I said no, Kyle. - Yeah, no way, dude.

- Look, shut up. - Well it was

humiliating being compared to the Oak Ridge Boys.

Didn't I just tell ya to shut up?

My granny listens...

I thought I told ya to shut your mouth.

Magic Pillow's gonna find somewhere else to practice.

And if you don't make an attitude adjustment,

someone else to play guitar.

Y'all can't kick me outta my own band, Stephen.

Fine, just consider it me and Cliff quitting one band

and joining a new one.

Now... you don't mean that.

I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it, Kyle.

- I'm not gonna let you do this. - Suit yourself, Kyle.

I'm not gonna let you just throw away

our opportunity at getting our palm prints on the wall.

I said, suit yourself, Kyle.

Does the Ad-man know you smoke?

I can't imagine he'd approve.

He couldn't be more pleased.

Anne, do you know who I am?

Did your mother tell ya?

You're just some boy she knew in high school.

What do you want?

Just wanted to know if you want a lift.

- A lift. - To school.

Come on, I'll let ya drive. 100 miles an hour.

I need to go find Anne.

Please return this to her when you do.

Thank you.

♪ On his flesh and blood ♪

♪ I can not take Back what I've done ♪

I'm here to bring destruction of private property charges

against Senator John Cutter.

We can't oblige you on that matter, yet.

Is it your intention to obstruct the law

by denying the church our rights?

You got your public hearing, Pastor.

- When? - Seven o'clock tonight.

Firehouse, behind city hall.

And you will have an opportunity to speak, Pastor.

An opportunity to try and talk the folks of Leonard

- into their own end - Mayor,

- by their own hands. - That's enough.

Because losing Cutter's restoration project,

just that to this community. Suicide, Pastor Wells.

- Mayor! - If you don't mind that.

I think it's time you left.

Pastor Wells, Esther and I had our first date

in that nativity that Cutter burned.

She... insisted that I meet her family

before we went to the movies, how she put it.

I have a ten o'clock. Will that be all?

I told John Cutter you were dropping by.

He asked me to send you back.

There's a buzzer by the door when you're ready to leave.

It's a beautiful story about Esther, Gene.

Thank you, Joycee.

Pastor Wells. You know the Senator?

Senator's wife attends my church.

- Really? - What do you need, Mr. Bitner?

Why does your client want to see me?

Has the church made a decision?

Will you remove the star? Or will you rally the faithful

to follow it to the Supreme Court?

There's a public hearing tonight.

- Will that be all? - She was saved in his church.

- She doesn't just attend. - I'm sorry John.

Was there another matter?

My wife, Mr. Bitner, got born again in his church.

Isn't that right, Pastor?

Know what's in this file, son?

I would like to know where you're going

with this, Senator.

- That file is privileged. - Opposition research...

about you son.

Read the highlights, if you would, Mr. Bitner.

Like I said John, the information in that file...

Privilege to the one who paid for the investigation.

I don't know what you think you have in that file,

Senator... but I've been preaching the gospel

- since I was... - Six!

Braces at 13. Busted femur bone at ten.

Lost Mama to ovarian cancer at eight.

Daddy, 11 years after your wedding day.

Know more about you and yours than you know yourself,

I can assure you of that.

Even know what had you in and out

the Taylor Police Department's records room,

three times last year.

- Your high school, huh? - I go here.

So... thanks for the ride.

Oh, uh, wait a minute, I have a gift for you.

Go ahead, open it.

What do you think?

I think Adam doesn't like it when I bring demons home.

Not giving the gargoyle to the Ad-man.

I'm giving him to you, Anne.

Well then, I think why are you giving me a gift?

Because you don't even know me.

Isn't a gift appropriate on a birthday?

Your mother told me it was your birthday.

I was at the house last night, I was...

I know.

- If you don't want it, that's... - No, I...

I'll name him Chuckles.

Class president. And a b-ball scholarship.

Not just some boy... Renie knew in school.

Wow, really?

Well I don't wanna make you and Chuckles late.

She always makes pancakes on my birthday.

A piping hot stack with a... candle

that's also a number on top.

And this morning?

Smokes.

Well, she remembered last night.

Yeah, and you picked up Chuckles

at some Quicki-Mart this morning.

Something like that.

Senator Whitmore.

Friend of John Cutter's.

Yes, that's right, Senator John Cutter.

Yes, he is. He's expecting my...

Can I, uh, is it okay if I call the Senator back

in about ten, 15 minutes?

Thank you.

You were giving us signs that we refused to see.

And suddenly I realized and I began to cry and cry.

Ms. Wells. Eyes forward. Ms. Wells!

Unless you'd like me to call Pastor wells

so you can explain to your father

why you were late to my class this morning.

You may continue, Ms. Reynolds.

Ms. Reynolds, please, continue.

Why don't you just purr?

Please go back to the way you were.

Don't you want some tuna fish? Just one bite is all I wish.

And then suddenly everything seemed to be okay

because you weren't going to hurt one more day.

You were on the fast track

in the God biz, Adam.

National news media all did Hope for Tomorrow pieces

on the miracle preaching boy,

yet at retirement, Jacob Wells hands his 2,000-member church

over to a graduate from Bob Jones University

who shows up for an interview, instead of his own son.

Whatever did he do to so disappoint his daddy,

- Mr. Bitner? - We know

- what he did John. - He got married, Mr. Bitner.

To Maurene Anne O'Connor,

right after high school graduation.

Then in December of that same year,

Maurene Wells gives birth

to a seven-pound, three ounce, baby girl.

Little more than two months with child when you said I do.

Clearly disqualifying numbers in the God biz,

- I get it, John. - No, you do not get it,

Mr. Bitner. Does he, Pastor?

My wife, Mr. Bitner...

was walking to her car in a mall parking lot

in Taylor, Michigan, and she was raped.

We chose Anne.

A fact that the ordination board of my denomination

have known and have wholeheartedly embraced

since the beginning of our ministry together.

A fact that I will shout from the rooftops

if necessary, Senator.

- If you'll excuse me. - A fact, Mr. Bitner,

the Taylor Police have been unable to substantiate

with actual case records. Isn't that right, Pastor?

Why don't you just say what it is you plan

- on saying, Senator? - I think you know

- what I plan on saying. - How you and your lawyer

intend to, what did you call it?

Spin my life in order to discredit me?

That's how you operate, isn't it?

On lies and speculation because you lack

any real devotion to the truth.

The truth doesn't fit into your tiny, self-serving universe.

Which is problematic for you now, Senator, isn't it?

Now that your wife knows the truth.

She can't be lied to anymore.

I have a meeting.

Except in your case, son, I have a sworn affidavit.

So, I expect I won't be needing to lie

in order to discredit you.

Affidavit I took just last night.

A friend of the Pastor's here.

Been assured a little DNA testing will verify.

Even knew the girl's birthday was today.

Still two months too soon.

Here.

Why not just read it for yourself.

Respectfully sir, I cannot let you hand

a month of opposition research...

Take the file, son.

Know more about you and yours.

Still two months too soon.

- It is Dad. - Pathetic.

I'm your father.

You don't know what you're saying.

It's Calvin.

I'm your father. But it is Dad.

They'll be wanting a sound bite

for the noon news cycle, Pastor Wells.

Joseph Harrison, Pastor Wells. Liberty Institute.

Spoke to you on the phone yesterday.

Scheduled a meeting for this morning.

Yes, I remember.

Chief Burns recommended that I wait for you here.

They're a national news affiliate.

Talking to them is talking to the nation.

So, I suggest we delay making a statement,

- just 'til Leonard... - You knew my father, you said.

More you. As a boy.

Senator Cutter's gonna play 'Beltway Hardball' with you,

Pastor.

Meaning, he's not just gonna try to destroy

any legal argument we might make...

he'll try to destroy you... personally.

Your family, your loved ones.

Which is why I strongly recommend we delay...

Make sure the star is the background, Mr. Harrison.

They'll be no more delays.

It is Pastor Wells' earnest belief...

that the legal struggle before his congregation

this day...

is a graphic illustration of the greater struggle

being fought in the United States today.

And that is a struggle

for the heart and soul of Americans everywhere.

A struggle the citizens of Leonard,

and we the citizens of the United States of America

cannot afford to lose. Whatever the cost.

Yes, well I provided Senator Cutter with information

he considered useful,

in exchange for our telephone conversation this afternoon.

Conversation he assured me would result in smiling faces

and chattering glasses

when I testify before your committee

next week.

Great.

Then I'll look forward to hearing from you tonight,

Senator Whitmore. Happy holidays.

Thank you, sir.

I remember you used to call yellow tulips...

Tea cups.

God's tea cups of sunshine.

I wanted to give those to ya last night, Renie.

She almost died giving birth to me.

And then the doctors told her that she was barren

and she could never conceive again.

No matter how much Adam prays.

Which only makes her more crazy.

Yeah but why would your dad praying drive her crazy?

'Cause she thinks God cursed her womb or something.

I mean you can't be thinking just 'cause...

What?

I can't be thinking what, Sticksboy?

Why would you, a Sticksboy from Sticksboy USA

think he can tell me what I can and can't be thinking?

God, I hate that.

It's like how Inger Lorre always had to say

"Wow, really?" to her moron agent all the time...

That's enough, Annie.

God... I swear bull riding is easier

than talking to you sometimes, Annie girl.

Don't call me that.

Do you wanna go to my house and ride the horse or not?

Why would I wanna ride your stupid horse anyway?

Do I look like a Brittney to you?

Well what do you want to do?

Nothing. I don't wanna do anything.

You know well I wanna do something.

I wanna talk about who was at your house last night,

- the one who drove a Porsche. - Yeah.

Well, I wanna talk about him, Sticksboy.

About how you lost him.

What was he, like, electrocuted by all that ampere

and ohm stuff he was always blabbering about?

Who told ya I lost my father?

- Your buddy. - Kyle?

- Said you were just like family. - Stay away from Kyle, Annie.

I think he's a little bit more Brokeback

- than he's admitting to. - Promise me you will stay

away from Kyle, Annie. Okay, you don't know Kyle.

All right, just promise me!

Are you gonna put your mouth on me, Sticksboy?

Guess you're gonna have to now, won't you?

I'm gonna go.

Your buddy's right about you.

Do you wanna go back or not?

About how you can never pull the trigger.

You know that you're the night or an alien pod

or anything but a blessing... to your folks

is what you can and can't be thinking.

A photo of Anne... on her eighth birthday.

I don't want a picture of the Ad-man

- holding my daughter. - It's all I have. I...

I can send school photos later.

Do you ever think about me, Renie?

Just gimme your address

and I can send whatever I have that's just Anne.

Because I think about you.

About how choosing Harvard instead of you

was like this amazingly regrettable choice

that I've never... I mean I really believe...

on some weird cosmic level

it knocked the stars out of alignment above us.

- The universe is intact. - Is it intact for the Ad-man?

I mean how could it be intact for the Ad-man

when he's so... genuinely... no, he's freaking psychotic

into his Bible.

And his wife doesn't believe a word of it, never did.

- I believe. - No.

You're pretending to be a pastor's wife,

just like you're pretending you didn't come to my motel

tonight. 'Cause 18 years ago you called my house 19 times

the week you were deciding to choose the Ad man

instead of me.

My mother called yellow tulips...

God's tea cups of sunshine.

It was how God... gave her hope after my father left.

I remember... when we were kids.

She planted 200 bulbs the day that he left us.

It's...

Give us a second chance, Renie.

I was eight years old...

and I was terrified to leave my mom

to go to school in the morning.

And then in May she walks from the kitchen to the bedroom

and there they are.

200 yellow tulips.

And she said it was the fact that something so beautiful

could still grow in our backyard made her believe again.

Why are you telling me this?

Because I was up to my waist in these tulips

that saved me mother's life the day that I chose Adam.

I only called you 19 times in high school

because you were Annie's father.

Well, I'm still Annie's father.

No, Callie, you're not.

Do you want this picture of Annie or not?

It's cool.

You know it's freaking awesome how you're sticking me

this whole "You made your choice,

I made my choice" mantra. Well one night Renie,

you're gonna run back to the Ad-man

and discover he has a choice, too.

And do you really think he's gonna choose you?

Do you?

What did you do?

Just leave the photo on the bed and... get out.

- What did you do? - Get out!

My father's in California, Annie.

I lost him to him running off.

I think they're gonna make you the poster boy

for the pro-life movement, Pastor.

And I think you lose your family if we proceed.

You did read my file, Mr. Harrison?

- Yes, I did. - Then you should know...

Particularly Dr. Cruz's evaluation of Anne.

Where he recommends she be preserved

from any and all non-essential situations of stress...

prescribes an anti-psychotic to treat what he describes

as a severe, therapy resistant, manic depressive condition

which, if not contained... may result in a second attempt

at taking her own life.

If you read my file, Mr. Harrison...

then you should know that I have no family to lose.

Now, if that will be all.

You recall I said I knew you as a boy.

One night they had you up on a soda crate...

in a tent the size of a football field

out there off of Highway 12, just this side of Durham.

You preached on Isaiah 61:3.

That the Lord had come

to comfort all that mourn in Zion...

and to give beauty...

for ashes.

All I had when I had came to Him that night, Pastor...

ashes.

One thing in Cutter's file I just...

can't seem to get out of my head.

The police report filed that day,

the day you found Anne,

said your secretary told the investigating officer...

that you just... walked out...

in the middle of a staff meeting...

no explanation, just walked.

Your question?

The medical examiner said that if you'd gotten there

just... five minutes later...

Anne would've succeeded in taking her own life.

How did you know to rush home, Pastor?

How did you know to rush home?

If I see you at the rally tonight, Mr. Harrison,

I will assume the information in this file

is what the Liberty Institute considers to be

an acceptable public relations risk...

and we'll not need to discuss this matter again.

It's not my question to answer, Pastor.

What is or what isn't acceptable risk.

Alright now, Pastor Wells is gonna exercise

his constitutional right to speak to you people.

I want you to be quiet and let him.

Otherwise I'll lock the whole bunch of ya up in jail.

Pastor Wells.

Take a good look...

at the new face of God in America.

If you and I are foolish enough to believe

that all this is about...

is the torching of a few wooden statues.

That it means nothing.

Tonight...

I hope to convince you...

as I am abs...

As I am absolutely convinced... that this... this is everything.

I don't believe you son. And the Lord doesn't believe ya.

And He'll get some other boy to be His miracle

if you don't start acting like a man

about the things of God.

Will you please your father today, Adam,

or will you fall short of his calling?

Now do it again.

Don't you look at your mother. Again!

Adam?

Adam?

Are you drinking?

You think I'm not aware of all the smoking and drinking?

You think I'm that stupid?

This meeting I... I prayed for this woman.

I remember she looked just like my mother.

All the sudden her eyes got wide, like the Red Sea parting.

She was hearing for the first time in her life.

And she started to praise God...

but all that would come out of her mouth

were these funny noises.

She was mute from birth, couldn't say words.

I started to laugh.

I... I... I couldn't stop.

Everybody in the church thought I was just being moved

by the spirit, but I was really just a nine-year-old boy

laughing at this woman...

who reminded me of my dead mother talking like a baby.

He knew I was laughing.

After that the picture was taken.

I was crying.

'Cause I missed her.

And he hits me.

And he says if I didn't start acting like an adult

about the things of God...

he'll get another boy to be his miracle.

But you were right Mo,

I've always been terrified of him.

'Cause from that day forward I always acted like an adult.

I always tried to play the part.

But no more.

You were right

that I haven't been any different with Anne.

No wonder she hates me. No wonder she won't call me Dad.

She loves you.

We both do.

Okay, Mo.

All right Mo. Or is it Renie?

I just keep getting that mixed up in my head.

- Where is Anne? - She's not here.

What do you mean she's not here?

She ran away from school.

We're supposed to be waiting here by the phone,

which I'm doing as we speak.

We forgot her birthday.

Her birthday.

Unfortunately, Callie remembered.

Why is that Mo? Why does Callie...

remember our daughter's birthday?

Let's not do this right now.

- When? - Not now.

- Not while you're drinking. - Let me get you started.

Callie knew... Annie's birthday because...

I made a mistake.

A mistake?

- Calvin told you everything. - Callie told the devil.

And the devil let me read the sworn affidavit.

But it's not gonna be real until I hear you say it.

I slept with him, Adam.

What had you and Callie planned on doing?

Did he plan on marrying you?

We were planning... I was planning...

on going... to a clinic in Detroit.

Terminating... the pregnancy.

Annie's, you mean.

Calvin was supposed to drive me

after his basketball practice.

And he was late.

But you were early.

I kept trying to tell you, Adam, just to go home.

That I... I would call you later.

But instead I said I was pregnant.

And then all of this about this woman

that was... raped... in the mall parking lot,

by a man with a ski mask

and I wasn't even talking about me.

But then... you said... "Tiernan's Mo? Where you work?"

And I don't know why, but I said yes.

You okay?

I see you posted your bail, John.

No point in playing Gandhi now is there, Gene?

Well I wouldn't know anything about that.

One month ago, my wife stands up in the church.

Walks down an aisle and meets some TV evangelist wannabe...

at an altar.

Pastor Wells.

I saved my wife, Gene.

I saved her from facing midlife as a table dancer.

And in the process, spending a substantial amount

of my own personal fortune saving a town...

in my opinion, is not worth saving,

except for it being Candy's hometown.

And all of a sudden I am in her eyes,

the one needing the saving.

So that's what this is all about.

Things being put back

into their proper perspective, is all.

My wife I am sure, now understands, as you do,

that all his preaching is nothing more

than the wood in the paint I torched.

I'll expect the rest of this mess

cleaned up by Monday.

Sorry John... can't oblige you on that.

Pardon?

City of Leonard Police Department

is bringing charges against you for arson and endangerment.

Crime scene... must remain intact until after the trial.

Your contract's coming up for renewal this year, Gene.

Wind coming up, John.

I think you'd better go home.

Candy'll be by after a while.

Room 215, there's a Calvin Cl... Anne!

- Annie! Who is he? - What?

I mean is he your boyfriend?

- No. - Then who?

Just tell me who he is, that's all

- I wanna know. - My father.

My real father.

Can I go now?

- I thought Pastor Wells was... - Why else do you think

that Maurene would feel like God cursed her womb, Sticksboy?

I've told you all of this before.

- No. No, you didn't. - Yes.

You said you didn't wanna talk about it.

I told you that he's been looking for me

for my whole life almost.

But that Adam keeps moving us

from Sticksville to Sticksville so that he'll never find me.

But he's found me.

And he says that he's never gonna let me out of his sights

ever again.

I'll come visit you then.

- No. - Why?

Because if you know where I am,

- then he'll know where I am. - Pastor Wells?

I won't tell anybody where you've gone.

- I can't take that chance. - Wait, Annie.

I wanna tell you something

before I never get to see you again.

What?

I wanna tell you that I think people

are like the stars, Annie.

You know 'cause you can never really see

the end of them either.

That's why I've fallen in love with you. It's just...

been a terrifyingly... unsolvable mystery.

That I wouldn't have traded for the world.

That's all I wanted to say.

Can I go now?

Anne.

What would you have named me?

You said to call you if I saw a vampire. Yeah vampire, right?

She just went up to room 215.

I'll let Police Chief Burns know you called.

Getting cold out there.

Thanks for watching the phone darling.

- Any action, Kyle? - No ma'am.

- One to base, one to base. - Yeah, Chief.

Anything new on the Wells girl, Joycee?

- Not yet. - All right.

Radio Jimmy and tell him to come back

from the bus station after the 11:20 leaves.

Oh, and Joycee... gimme a couple of minutes,

then tell Kyle... his old man's here for him.

Will do.

How's your evening going, Jackson?

No complaints, Chief. Just picking up the boy.

Glove compartment.

Open it.

No. that'd be illegal search, Chief Burns.

I'll tell you what, Jackson, I'll call Trudy

and get her to set up a warrant

while you sit off that buzz you got going inside.

Now open it.

Kyle came in pretty banged up today.

I wonder if you could tell me how that happened?

Well it wasn't from me.

I swear I didn't touch him.

How about we let Kyle drive you home tonight?

Now we kinda got a rule

about the boy driving a vehicle and all, Chief.

You're just itching

to take that breath test, aren't you?

Come on.

Looks like you're driving, Puke.

I'm coming.

She's with Calvin.

She was in the house, Adam, she heard everything.

So, where's your girlfriend?

You and Stephen still having another lover's quarrel?

Don't say that.

Did you say something, Puke?

I didn't think so. Pull over.

Chief Burns said I'm supposed to take you home.

I said pull over and get out.

I don't know what all you told Chief Burns

about me hitting you and all, boy, but after tonight

you're gonna know for damn sure I bothered giving you a beating.

You ain't gonna be making it to work the next day

to cry about it. Now where is it?

- Where's what? - You know what.

No, I don't.

That Glock you stole outta my truck last night, boy.

I didn't steal nothing from you.

Outta the damn glove compartment!

Outta the damn truck last night!

You probably just left it at home, drunk outta your head.

I mean, Anne, what did you think?

Brittney.

I would have suggested Brittney...

if your mother had asked for my thoughts.

- Right back. - I'll go.

Give her these.

I remember the day she was born when I held her in my arms.

And she was so perfect... and profound...

and helpless.

And how much you loved her, Adam.

Do you remember how much you loved...

I'm sorry I lied to you.

But I never, not once, regretted saying yes to you that day.

We can work out whatever custody arrangements you want.

I have no legal right to her...

Mo.

Room 215. Door's open.

4972 West 23 Street, number three.

- Joycee? - Yeah, Jimmy.

I got a murder here, Joycee.

Jackson Tucker... Kyle's daddy.

Anne. Anne.

Anne, open the door.

Go away.

You know I can't do that.

I know it's difficult, but you have to try.

To what?

Think happy thoughts... Adam?

Are you thinking happy thoughts?

You are such a hypocrite.

You're always telling me

to think all these happy thoughts

all the time, like are in your hymn book.

When all the time all you're thinking about...

is how you blame me... for like... your career

and for you and her not being able to have another baby.

For everything. So just go away.

Leave me alone.

The day you were born.

I was thinking about the day you were born.

You were so little.

You could wrap all five fingers around one of mine.

And you never wanted to let go.

I was thinking, Anne,

even if my career had turned out differently...

that the day you were born...

would still be the best day of my life.

And being your father, the source

of my happiest thoughts.

But you're not my father.

Are you?

So, all your happy thoughts... are lies.

- They're not lies. - Yes.

I have proof.

What kind of proof can you have when you're not my father?

When you're just lying?

I have a drawing you made for me when you were eight years old.

Well I don't remember eight, Adam.

I do.

I remember five and six and nine.

I remember the night you gave me this drawing.

And I remember the morning I found you.

And I was holding you in my arms

while we were waiting on the ambulance.

I remember I would shake you every time you started to sleep

and I kept thinking... I kept thinking about this picture.

How much I loved it... how much I loved you, Anne.

And how I just walked out of my staff meeting...

because I was terrified that I had lost it

and I would never see it again.

I'm gonna slide it under the door, Anne.

Adam.

- What do you need? - Let me talk to Anne.

Motel magistrate said

he called the station two hours ago

and told someone that a young woman

matching Ms. Wells' description went into room 215.

It musta been Kyle, Chief. Kyle must've taken the call.

- What's going on? - In your vehicle ma'am, please.

My family are...

Police are here, son.

- Unless you... - Police aren't getting in

until what I came to do is done.

What's that, son? What do you plan on doing?

She's in there, ain't she?

Why don't you tell him freak? Tell him about how I warned you

there weren't gonna be any boundaries

between you and me.

About trophy buck just seconds from dead

and not knowing it.

Open up Tucker.

Kyle Tucker.

There is no way out of this room.

There is for you.

Open this door. Come out of there, now.

Just step away from that door.

Anne, are you in the bathtub? Anne!

Step away from the door, Pastor Wells!

- Are you in the bathtub? - Yes, I'm the bathtub.

- Move! - Good.

Good girl.

When I was little,

I got a telescope for my eighth birthday.

And I remember Adam set it up in our backyard.

And he showed me how to use it.

That is beautiful.

And I remember asking him.

Will I see Jupiter?

Like Jupiter and Pluto are as close as your nose.

And will we really see the farthest star?

No. Beyond the farthest star.

And he whispered in my ear like it was a secret and all,

that I didn't even need a telescope

to see beyond the farthest star.

And I remember on the night of my eighth birthday...

as I watched him draw the stars all around us...

I knew exactly what he meant.

And it was... one of my happiest thoughts.

Ever.

I went to the library and looked up the word death

in a computer.

There were 1,000 entries at least.

Names of famous people.

Good...

and bad.

Disease... personal testimony... and how-to's.

A couple hundred or zillion entries in...

I read...

see also... life.

That was wonderful, Ms. Wells.

Wasn't it class?

Anne... I wouldn't blame you

if you never wanna talk to me again.

I mean if I had heard my mom say...

what I know you heard me say...

but... honey, if you just... if you just do wanna talk

or you wanna sit... please... tell me.

Okay?

Okay.

Hymn 567.

♪ Oh holy night ♪

♪ The stars are brightly Shining ♪

♪ It is the night ♪

♪ Of our dear Savior's birth ♪

♪ Long lay the world ♪

♪ In sin and error pining ♪

♪ 'Til He appeared ♪

♪ And the soul gained Its worth ♪

♪ The thrill of hope ♪

♪ The weary soul rejoices ♪

♪ 'Til yonder breaks ♪

♪ A new and glorious morn ♪

Uh, the patient in room two

just opened his eyes and looked at me.

I think you should go in there.

He told everybody he woke up

after hearing an angel singing.

I didn't tell him it was just me.

Two weeks later, Adam was released from the hospital.

He had Stephen and me pick him up instead of my mother.

And instead of driving him home...

he made us drive him to the Big Mart in Alamo.

'Cause all of a sudden...

the miracle preaching boy was...

I mostly unpacked your things until we can figure out how...

Like that Lord Nathan guy.

I bribed her, Mo.

Ms. Moore, the Tom Thumb wedding.

I told her I would clap erasers,

I would wash the chalkboard for the rest of the year...

if she would just pick you and me as husband and wife.

From that day on...

my mother stopped reading romance novels

and started thinking maybe what happened

to Sarah and Abraham could happen to Maurene and Adam.

And just like Sarah in the Bible...

my mother started to laugh...

when the advanced, 99 percent accurate test strip...

turned pink.

Adam.

Adam.

I'm 19 now.

And now that I'm older, I think life isn't just

razor teeth, acid blood and slime.

Sometimes... it's sunny days with blue skies

and tea cups of sunshine and...

what's beyond the farthest star.

Which... as Adam whispered in my ear on my eighth birthday,

it's like... so far, no telescope can reach.

And so close... we like, held Him in our arms.

At least that's the story Adam's been preaching

since he was six years old.

If you ask me if I believe it personally.

Are you gonna sing tonight, Anne? In the choir?

Heavenly hosts could really use your voice.

It's okay.

Maybe next year.

If I believe that...

sometimes... you get beauty from ashes.

Dad?

I only know the new and glorious morning one.

It's my favorite, Annie's.

I'd have to say... wow... really?

But not like Inger Lorre

used to say to her agent all the time.

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ When sorrow seems To surround you ♪

♪ When suffering hangs Heavy o'er your head ♪

♪ Know that tomorrow brings ♪

♪ Wholeness and healing ♪

♪ God knows your need ♪

♪ Just believe what He said ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ Beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ When what you've done Keeps you from moving on ♪

♪ When fear wants to make Itself at home in your heart ♪

♪ Know that forgiveness brings ♪

♪ Wholeness and healing ♪

♪ God knows your need ♪

♪ Just believe what is said ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ Oh He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes Oh oh ♪

♪ Strength for fear Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ I once was lost But God has found me ♪

♪ Though I was bound I've been set free ♪

♪ I've been made Righteous in His sight ♪

♪ A display of His Splendor all can see ♪

♪ I once was lost But God has found me ♪

♪ Though I was bound I've been set free ♪

♪ I've been made Righteous in His sight ♪

♪ A display of His Splendor all can see ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ Beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪

♪ He gives beauty for ashes ♪

♪ Strength for fear ♪

♪ Gladness for mourning ♪

♪ Peace for despair ♪