Soft, warm acoustic guitar fingerpicking, joined by a gentle, weeping pedal steel and a slow heartbeat kick drum) [Verse 1] It’s six AM on a Monday morning, I know you're up and getting ready for work. I’m sitting here writing this letter to you, Thinking 'bout how much your spirit is worth. I’m sorry for the heartache I caused in the past, And all of the trials that you had to go through. But through all the shadows and storms that were cast, The one thing that held me together was you. [Chorus] 'Cause you have always been my backbone, The greatest strength that I've ever known. When I didn't deserve it, you prayed for my life, A wellspring of love cutting right through the strife. You taught me the meaning of patient and kind, A pure Corinthians love that I struggled to find. God heard every prayer that you sent up above, And He saved my soul through a mother's love. [Verse 2] I always wanted a family to hold, A woman and children to cherish and keep. But when it was taken and slipped from my hands, I fell to the valley, so dark and so deep. Every woman I met, I compared her to you, But none ever came close to a lady so true. You gave me the loving heart that I hold inside, The gentle compass that served as my guide. [Chorus] 'Cause you have always been my backbone, The greatest strength that I've ever known. When I didn't deserve it, you prayed for my life, A wellspring of love cutting right through the strife. You taught me the meaning of patient and kind, A pure Corinthians love that I struggled to find. God heard every prayer that you sent up above, And He saved my soul through a mother's love. [Bridge] God took the negatives, turned 'em to positives, Using my failures to make a new man. The joy of the Lord is the strength of my days, I finally see His beautiful plan. Like that midday light shining down from the sky, I stopped kicking against the pricks of the past. He filled in the pieces I was missing for years, And gave me a peace that is built to outlast. [Guitar & Piano Solo] (Emotional, soaring pedal steel solo blending with a warm gospel piano, reflecting a journey from sorrow to redemption) [Verse 3] So I’m guarding my heart like the wellspring of life, And trusting the Maker of the good and the bad. Tell Mr. Charlie I said a hello, And thank you for giving me all that you had. You're the reason I'm breathing, the reason I'm here, You loved me right through the doubt and the fear. [Outro] My backbone... My strength. A Corinthians love. Thank you, Mama. Still Standing. (The music slowly fades out on a single, warm acoustic chord)
