What We Gave Each Other Stays

[Verse 1] You met me where the river bends With paper tickets in your hand We missed the train, we took the long way And found a bakery still warm You laughed until your shoulders shook I learned to say what I had meant Some evenings last beyond their hour Though every road will turn again [Chorus] What we gave each other stays In the courage that we grew In the jokes I still remember In the kinder things I do Not every bond is built to last But none of it was passing through I carry what was bright and true And hope the same lives on in you [Verse 2] You taught me how to mend a sleeve I showed you where the herons fed We traded songs and honest questions And let the silence rest between Then one day, miles began to gather No villain, no one to accuse Just two lives opening outward With all we’d learned still coming through [Chorus] What we gave each other stays In the courage that we grew In the jokes I still remember In the kinder things I do Not every bond is built to last But none of it was passing through I carry what was bright and true And hope the same lives on in you [Outro] If our paths cross years from now I’ll know the laugh before the face And thank the time we got to share For changing how I give and take