I wasn't ready

Lyrics

[Intro – spoken, very deep gravelly voice] Funny thing about dying... You always think it'll happen someday. You just never think... Someday means today. [Slow acoustic guitar – mournful harmonica underneath] [Verse 1] I was on my way to work one day, with the radio playing loud, The sun rising over the hill, and in the sky barely a cloud, As I turned a corner the sun blinded me, The next thing I saw was a car hit a tree. The driver gone, the car a wreck, Then folk gathered round, said, "He broke his neck!" Then as I got closer it all seemed strange, Then it shook me to the core, as I got into range, The guy was now real plain to see, I was looking down... and saw it was me! [Music drops – heartbeat-like drum] [Pre-Chorus] I screamed, "I'm here!" but nobody turned, I reached for a hand, but my fingers burned Straight through their bodies like smoke in the night, Then I knew something here... just wasn't right. [Chorus – full band] I WASN'T READY TO DIE! I had too much living left in me, Too many places I wanted to go, Too many things I wanted to see. I never said goodbye that morning, Just grabbed my coat and closed the door, If I'd known that was the last time... I'd have held you a little more. [Verse 2] I watched the blue lights paint the road, Watched them cover me from head to toe, They searched my pockets, found my phone, Then made the call that shattered home. I followed them back, though God knows how, I just knew I had to see you now. You answered the door, they spoke my name, And I watched your whole world change. You fell to your knees and started to cry, I wrapped my arms around you and asked God why, But you couldn't feel me holding you tight, I was standing beside you... But gone from your life. [Chorus] I WASN'T READY TO DIE! There were things I still had left to say, All those stupid little arguments Don't mean a damn thing today. All the times I said, "I'll do it tomorrow," Thinking time was mine to spend, I'd trade every tomorrow I ever had... For one more day again. [Instrumental – mournful fiddle / electric guitar] [Verse 3 – quieter] I walked through the rooms of our old home, Saw my boots by the door where I'd left 'em alone, My coffee cup sitting beside my chair, Everything waiting... Like I should still be there. Photographs hanging upon the wall, Birthdays and Christmas, I'd lived through them all, Faces I loved and memories made, Funny how life looks different... When yours has slipped away. There were people I should've called, Old friends I should've seen, Words I should've swallowed, And places I should've been. I spent years chasing money, Working my life away, Never knowing all that mattered... Could disappear in a day. [Bridge – building] Then came the church and the suits dressed in black, And every damn part of me wanted to go back. They carried my coffin while the organ played, Then lowered me down into the grave. Someone whispered softly, "At least he's at peace." But I wanted to grab him, Scream, "DON'T SPEAK FOR ME!" 'Cause peace wasn't what I wanted... I wanted one more night. One more kiss. One more chance... To make things right. [Final Chorus – biggest] I WASN'T READY TO DIE! I still had living left to do, I wanted to grow old beside you, Like I always promised you. I wanted birthdays and Christmas, Grey hair and grandchildren too, But death never asked permission... It just came and took me from you. I WASN'T READY TO DIE! But there's nothing I can do, So don't waste your life grieving, For the life I lost with you. Tell the ones you love you love 'em, Don't wait another night... 'Cause you never know which morning You'll see that rising sun... For the final time. [Single guitar chord fades]