if I build a custom SQL statement using the query module, how would I get the text values for a list/record field?

You would need to join against the table for that list/record. Each custom list/record will have its own table with the text values.

ahh, that makes sense. Thanks for the quick response.

There is actually a "builtin" function that takes care of this for you. Example

subsidiary

gives you the subsidiary internal id,

BUILTIN.DF(subsidiary)

will take care of the join to subsidiary record behind the scenes and give you the text value