[Verse 1] Cities opened refuge for the unintentional hand, Levites received their dwellings spread throughout the promised land. Every word of good God promised had not failed in anything, Then the eastern fighting tribes were blessed and sent across the river. [Pre-Chorus] Beside the Jordan rose an altar, And western Israel gathered for the war. [Chorus] The altar called Witness was not raised for sacrifice, It stood to tell the children both sides serve the same LORD. Before the sword divided brothers, questions crossed the river, And truth restrained the anger that was ready for the war. [Verse 2] Phinehas and ten princes named the memory of Peor, Spoke of Achan's hidden sin and judgment on the congregation. Eastern tribes invoked the LORD as witness to their heart, No rival altar, only proof their children shared the covenant. [Bridge] The answer pleased the princes and the western army turned, Israel blessed God because the civil fire had not burned. Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh named the structure by the stream, For the LORD is God on either side, and Witness kept the peace. [Final Chorus] The altar called Witness was not raised for sacrifice, It stood to tell the children both sides serve the same LORD. Before the sword divided brothers, questions crossed the river, And truth restrained the anger that was ready for the war. [Outro] One altar nearly split the nation, One honest answer kept it whole.