Connecting Dialogue for Introducing this Song:
Speaker 1: One of the ways we show respect to others, as well as to ourselves, is by telling the truth.
Speaker 2: Being honest means knowing there is no such thing as a little lie.
Speaker 3: “Little” lies can have huge consequences.
Speaker 4: Telling the truth isn’t always easy, but it’s the right thing to do.
Speaker 5: Like if we break something, we don’t try to blame someone else.
Speaker 6: Or, if we forget something we were supposed to do, we don’t make up an excuse.
Speaker 7: When we tell the truth like this we feel good and clear on the inside.
I tell the truth, I’m honest with myself,
I’m also just as honest with you.
I tell the truth, I’m true to myself,
That way I can also be true to you.
I tell the truth;
I don’t fool you
And I don’t fool myself.
I tell the truth;
I don’t just keep truth up on a shelf —
To take down when it suits my needs.
I tell the truth even when it’s hard,
It’s harder to live with a lie.
I tell the truth right from the start,
Not just later when I’ve been found out.
We’ve heard about George Washington chopping down a tree,
“Father, I cannot tell a lie.” said he.
But we’ve also heard the story of the boy who cried “wolf”,
When he finally told the truth, they ignored his plea.
I tell the truth, I want your trust,
I want to be able to trust myself.
I tell the truth, I want your respect,
I want to be able to respect myself.
I tell the truth;
I don’t fool you
And I don’t fool myself.
I tell the truth;
I don’t just keep truth up on a shelf —
To take down when it suits my needs.
