I Can't Hold Your Hand

Verse 1 There is dirt above my head, and flowers on the ground. I can hear the people crying, but I can't make a sound. I know this place. I know that name. It's carved into the stone. And somehow I understand that this is where I'm home. But I don't want to be here. I don't want this to be true. I'm standing above my grave, and I'm watching all of you. Verse 2 My mother kneels beside me, with her hands against the earth. She's whispering my name like she's trying to bring me back. Her shoulders shake. Her face is wet. She looks so small tonight. I want to tell her, "Mom, I'm here." But nothing comes out right. Pre-Chorus I reach my hand toward hers. I try to touch her skin. But my fingers pass right through her. And I break apart again. Chorus I can't hold your hand, Mom. I can't wipe away your tears. I'm standing right beside you, but you'll never know I'm here. I would give anything to feel your arms around me. But I'm only air now. I'm only a memory. Please don't cry for me forever. Please don't think I left by choice. I'm screaming that I love you, but you can't hear my voice. Verse 3 The flowers slowly wither. The candles lose their flame. People start to leave the cemetery, but she stays there with my name. She puts her hand upon the stone and whispers, "I miss you." And I kneel down beside her, even though I can't reach through. I remember being little, when I used to run to her. She would catch me when I fell. Now I'm falling through her fingers. And she doesn't even feel. Bridge I didn't want to leave. I didn't say goodbye. There are so many things I never got to say. So many mornings I thought we'd still have. So many times I should have told her how much I loved her. Now all I have is this silent place between her world and mine. Chorus I can't hold your hand, Mom. I'm right here, can't you see? I'm reaching through the darkness, but you're reaching through me. You keep calling out my name. I keep calling yours. We're only inches apart, but there are no doors I can open anymore. I'd give anything for one last embrace. One last moment. One last look at your face. But my hands are made of nothing. And yours are made of tears. So I stay here beside you, loving you through all these years. Outro The cemetery grows quiet. The night begins to fall. My mother slowly stands and walks away alone. I follow her footsteps until I cannot anymore. Then I turn back to the grave. My name is still there. The flowers are still there. And somewhere beneath the earth is the body I can no longer feel. I whisper into the empty night— "Mom... I'm still your daughter." But the wind takes my voice. And once again, she doesn't hear me.