Don't Hold Me Like a Burden

[Sitar Solo] [Verse 1] I was always halfway out the door, chasing mile markers White lines, truck stops, a cab with one stubborn wheel Kept my check-ins short, like I was sparing you the weather Like my life in motion was something you didn’t need to feel [Pre-Chorus] If I could rewind it, I’d take the exit sooner Let the clock run slow, let the evening get looser Tell you every town where I thought of your face Every missed meal, every sorry I delayed [Chorus] Don’t hold me like a burden Let the good stuff stay Let the sink fill up, let the radio play Let the kids get wild, let the old songs sway If I come to mind, let it be that way Hoping you got the life You were reaching for That’s the only thing I ever wanted Not one thing more, not one thing more [Verse 2] There were midnight pulls by the harbor with the motor humming Phone glow in the cab, your name sitting there I should’ve hit send, should’ve turned the key back Should’ve told you how the road could make a man go spare [Pre-Chorus] I didn’t want to drop one more weight in your hands You had enough heavy, enough on your plans But a love like that, left folded up tight Came out all at once in the middle of the night [Chorus] Don’t hold me like a burden Let the good stuff stay Let the sink fill up, let the radio play Let the kids get wild, let the old songs sway If I come to mind, let it be that way Hoping you got the life You were reaching for That’s the only thing I ever wanted Not one thing more, not one thing more [Verse 3] If I missed the birthdays, if I showed up thin If I looked worn out, barely staying in It was never from loving you less Just a man with too much road and too little rest [Langspil Solo] (The langspil solo should feel a bit melancholic but with an underlying warmth, like a fond memory playing out.) [Verse 4] I’d swap the miles, every storm-blown lane For one more supper, one more name One more chance to say it straight and slow You were bigger than the road could ever show [Bridge] When I’m gone, don’t make me heavy Don’t turn every room into something empty Live the way I hoped you would Take every bright thing this world can give Love each other like I loved you And keep moving, keep moving through [Sarod Solo] (The sarod solo should swell with a feeling of enduring love and continuity, a sense that the family thread remains unbroken.) [Final Chorus] Don’t hold me like a burden Let the good stuff stay Let the sink fill up, let the radio play Let the kids get wild, let the old songs sway If I come to mind, let it be that way Hoping you got the life You were reaching for That’s the only thing I ever wanted Not one thing more, not one thing more [Outro] So when my name comes up Don’t let it drag you under Just leave the porch light burning And keep that love moving through I loved you more than I could say Missed you more than you knew Please live the life you want That’s my last gift to you [Fidla Solo] (The fidla solo should be bright and soaring, full of optimism for the future, a clear melody that suggests hope and new beginnings for those left behind.)