(Intro) (Delicate, warm fingerpicked acoustic guitar begins in a soft major chord. A low, weeping pedal steel swell enters underneath, hinting at a minor melancholy.) (Verse 1) I hear the laughter echoing down the hallway floor Little boots kicking off right by the kitchen door The porch light’s glowing warm against the evening chill I got a good life waiting on this quiet hill. Got everything a man could ever pray to hold— A hand to keep me steady when the world gets cold. So why’s the room start spinning when the lights go down? Why am I fighting battles in an empty town? (Chorus) I’m happy in my heart, broken in my soul Smiling at the table while I’m losing all control. I love the life I’m living, I love the morning sun, But the shadows in the timber say the war ain't done. I got peace right in my hands, but a ghost I can’t let go— Yeah, I’m happy in my heart, And broken in my soul. (Verse 2) I sit and watch my daughter as she reads out loud I feel the chest swell up, I feel the daddy proud. There ain't a thing missing in this roof and frame, So tell me why the darkness still recalls my name. One half of me is thankful for the breath I take, The other half is waiting for the floor to break. I wear the Sunday smile, I hold my woman tight, Then stare straight at the ceiling half the damn long night. (Chorus) I’m happy in my heart, broken in my soul Smiling at the table while I’m losing all control. I love the life I’m living, I love the morning sun, But the shadows in the timber say the war ain't done. I got peace right in my hands, but a ghost I can’t let go— Yeah, I’m happy in my heart, And broken in my soul. (Guitar & Pedal Steel Solo) (A slow, soaring pedal steel leads into a gritty acoustic guitar progression—moving back and forth between sweet, hopeful major resolutions and deep, sorrowful minor notes.) (Bridge) (Halftime dynamic drop: rhythm section cuts out completely. Just bare, fragile acoustic picking and a low, intimate spoken-whisper delivery.) Ain't ungrateful for the grace I found... Ain't looking to get put beneath the ground. It’s just hard to mend the spirit when the scars run deep— When the waking hours are blessed, but you dread to sleep. (Deep breath into the mic, brushed snare slowly builds back in) I’m still here standing... still holding the line... Trying to teach the darkness how to face the shine! (Chorus) (Full band enters with maximum emotional power, layered vocal harmonies) 'Cause I’m happy in my heart, broken in my soul! Smiling at the table while I’m losing all control. I love the life I’m living, I love the morning sun, And I’ll keep on swinging till the shadows run! I got peace right in my hands, but a ghost I can’t let go— Yeah, I’m happy in my heart... And broken in my soul. (Outro) (Music settles into a gentle, fading acoustic strum with a high, lonesome harmonica hum) Happy in my heart... Holding onto the light... Still fighting off the dark... One more night. (A quiet, deep exhale, fading out with the gentle chime of a clock in a quiet house)
