Fire In Your Eyes (Still Burning)

[Tempo: Slow, acoustic guitar with a mournful pedal steel] [Intro] [Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft pedal steel swelling in] The silence in this house is way too loud tonight I’m sitting on the edge of our bed, staring at the light Missing half of my own soul, trying hard to breathe Wandering through the wreckage that you had to leave... [Verse 1] You were a whole lot of fire wrapped in a small package Carrying a heavy cross, pulling all that baggage Stage four triple negative, inflammatory blame But the doctors didn’t realize the power you held within your name They said the odds were stacked, but you just set the bar Guiding everybody else like a morning star You didn't have to try, you just lived your truth A testament of grace, a picture of pure youth. [Pre-Chorus] And oh, you loved me with a fierce devotion Stronger than the tide on a stormy ocean Loyalty in your blood, faithful to the end My change of life, my wife, my very best friend... [Chorus] And there was a fire in your eyes till your very last breath You fought harder than a soldier in a showdown with death You held on so tight, but your body was tired You left a light in this world, that truly inspired. Now you’re resting up high with the angels up above And I’m down here drowning in the memory of your sacred love. [Verse 2] Thirty-nine short years, but you lived 'em so brave Never let the shadows push you toward the grave You pointed people right when their roads got dark Leaving upon their weary hearts, a permanent mark I watched you take the hits, watched you take the pain Standing like an oak tree right through the rain Faithful in the struggle, steady through the storm Keeping everybody around you safe and warm. [Hook] [Tempo picks up slightly, heavy strum] Yeah, you fought the good fight, you finished the race Now you're shining up there in a better place. [Verse 3] I remember how you looked at me, no hesitation there A love so deep it felt like an answered prayer You changed my whole world from the first day we met A level of commitment that I’ll never forget You held the line for us, never backed away Gave me a reason to get up every single day Small in your frame, but a giant in your soul Without you by my side, I’ll never be whole. [Pre-Chorus] Cause oh, you loved me with a fierce devotion Stronger than the tide on a stormy ocean Loyalty in your blood, faithful to the end My change of life, my wife, my very best friend... [Chorus] And there was a fire in your eyes till your very last breath You fought harder than a soldier in a showdown with death You held on so tight, but your body was tired You left a light in this world that'll always be inspired Now you’re resting up high with the angels above And I’m down here drowning in the memory of your love. [Verse 4] Now the medicine bottles are cleared off the stand And I’d give my whole life just to hold your hand You were so exhausted, I could see it in your face You earned your wings, you earned your grace You showed us how to live, you showed us how to stand Now you're walking easy in the promised land. [Bridge] [Stripped back—just a weeping fiddle and quiet strumming] When the moment finally came for you to let it go I pulled you to my chest and held you real slow You took your last breath right here in my arms Safe from the sickness, safe from all the harm I felt the spirit leave, I felt the room grow cold you took a piece of my heart that you’ll forever hold. [Final Verse] [Builds to a massive, emotional, loud country belting climax — tearjerking, raw, and full of sorrow] OH, I MISS YOU SO MUCH IT FREAKIN’ HURTS TO MY BONES! I’M STANDING IN THIS HOUSE BUT I FEEL ALL ALONE! YOU WERE MY ANGEL, MY FIERCE LITTLE SHIELD! THE BRAVEST DAMN WARRIOR THAT EVER HIT THE FIELD! THIRTY-NINE YEARS WASN'T NEAR ENOUGH TIME! BUT I WAS THE LUCKY ONE WHO GOT TO CALL YOU MINE! YOU FOUGHT LIKE HELL, SWEETHEART, NOW GO TAKE YOUR REST! YOU GAVE THIS WHOLE WORLD YOUR ABSOLUTE BEST! [Pre-Chorus] Cause oh, you loved me with a fierce devotion Stronger than the tide on a stormy ocean Loyalty in your blood, faithful to the end My change of life, my wife, my very best friend... [Chorus] And there was a fire in your eyes till your very last breath You fought harder than a soldier in a showdown with death You held on so tight, but your body was tired You left a light in this world that'll always be inspired Now you’re resting up high with the angels above And I’m down here drowning in the memory of your love. [Outro] [Music suddenly drops down soft and quiet, slow acoustic picking] Yeah, you fought a good fight... Now you're with better spirits up high... No more pain, no more tears, no more goodbyes... But I know there's still a fire in your eyes... I’ll love you forever, my beautiful once in a lifetime wife. [Single fiddle note fades out slowly]