I'm Still Near

[Very slow ballad. Keep the same slow tempo from beginning to end. Solo male voice only. Sing every word. No speaking. No chorus. No tempo changes.] Talking to me about your day And wondering why I went away Just imagine, Mom You can’t see me But I’m so near When you feel the breeze Ruffling your hair It’s me I’m there When you talk to me I hear you And even when you pray I hear you If I could do it over I would I’d be here still [Stay very slow and quiet] You say every day you miss me And cry when you’re alone But I’m not far away When you think of me Remember Red rocks Desert Dirt and dust Baseball caps Collecting junk Oil stains And calloused hands And the best hugs You’ve ever had [Continue at exactly the same slow tempo] I love my son deeply But I really messed that up I’m glad you’re there To let him know I still love him When you see my junk Collecting dust Nuts and bolts Screws and stuff Remember that I fixed things But I can’t fix this It’s okay To give my stuff away To someone Who can use it We’re all still finding our way Through the pain I’m okay I didn’t mean For it to go that way Not really [Remain restrained. Do not build into a chorus.] Dad, I’m sorry I never got my life together You helped me over the years When things were really hard You were brutally direct I needed that I’m not going to get All touchy-feely Because that wasn’t our way But you know And I know How we feel Well, at least I’m out of debt And don’t have to pay you back I’m joking But seriously There was nothing different You could have done [Very slow. Softer now.] You can’t see me But I’m so near When you feel the breeze Ruffling your hair It’s me I’m there When you talk to me I hear you And it’s okay to yell If I could do it over I would I’d be here still [Do not repeat as a chorus. Continue slowly.] When you think of me Remember Red rocks Desert Dirt and dust Baseball caps Collecting junk Oil stains And calloused hands And the best hugs You’ve ever had [Final lines very soft and low] You can’t see me But I’m so near When you feel the breeze Ruffling your hair It’s me I’m there I’m not far away I’m still near [Stop singing. 10–15 second soft instrumental outro only.]