Raymond H. "Ray" Boltz (born in June 1953) is a singer and songwriter who first came to wide notice in contemporary Christian music. Many of his songs tell stories of faith and inspiration.
Raised by his parents William and Ruth Boltz, Boltz is the middle child of his parents' three children. A fourth child died shortly after birth. Ray was married to Carol Boltz for 33 years (1975-2008), and they have four children.
Boltz was virtually unknown when he wrote "Thank You", which won the Song of the Year prize at the 1990 GMA Dove Awards. His song "I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb" also won a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year at the 25th GMA Dove Awards in 1994. After the release of Songs from the Potter's Field in 2002, and his last tour in 2004, Boltz retired from the music industry. He separated from his wife in 2005 before moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with their divorce being finalized in early 2008.
On Friday, September 12, 2008, during an interview with the Washington Blade, Boltz disclosed that he was gay. Since then, Boltz has performed at several churches of the Metropolitan Community Church, a gay-affirming Christian denomination.
Standing in the courtroom
When I heard, how do you plead?
The accuser of the brethren
Was staring at me
He said, we got your number
There is no escape
For here are your transgressions,
Your failures and mistakes
He pointed to the corner
Where the scales of justice stood
I saw so many failures there
There was nothing good
And in that very moment
When it seemed all hope was lost
I said, I plead the blood of Jesus
And his death upon the cross
CHORUS:
One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered my transgressions
And all the times I failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood
I stood and watched in silence
As others were brought in
I saw them start to tremble
When they turned and faced their sin
They offered no excuses
They offered no alibis
The truth was overwhelming
And it would not be denied
Their righteousness like filthy rags
And nothing they could say
They bowed their heads in silence
As they were led away
But for the true believers
Each time it was the same
His glory shown around them
As they called upon his name
One drop of blood
Fell to the scales
It covered their transgressions
And all the times they failed
The enemy was mighty
He came in like a flood
He was defeated by one drop of blood
No greater sacrifice has any other made
Oh yes he paid the price
With every drop he gave