**Verse 1** Met her in the summer, ring by the fall, Swore forever meant something after all. Came home early, found the lights still on, Two shadows movin’ where my heart belonged. **Chorus** Now I’m doin’ twenty to life for a moment of red, Judge said justice, but it’s mercy I bled. Ain’t no freedom in a cell or a gun, Just a man and his ghosts when the damage is done. **Verse 2** Prison yard sun burns the back of my neck, Got her picture folded—what’d I expect? I was young, dumb, wild with pride, Didn’t know love cuts deeper when it dies. **Bridge** If I close my eyes, I still hear her cry, “Baby please don’t,” right before goodbye. Can’t pray it away, can’t drink it clean, I’m the headline in someone else’s dream. **Verse 3** Mama still writes, says she prays each night, Says a man ain’t lost if he finds what’s right. But the preacher don’t visit, and the truth don’t lie, You can’t find redemption where the good love died. **Final Chorus** Now I’m doin’ twenty to life, carved in stone, She moved on, but I’m payin’ alone. The bars don’t bend and the nights don’t end, Just me and regret—my only friend. ---
