Old oak tree

Lyrics

THE OAK TREE [Intro – Soft Piano + Acoustic Guitar] I read your last text again tonight, And damn, it still breaks me in two. I thought we’d grow old together, Guess forever wasn’t promised to me and you. I thought we’d drink coffee on that swing, Laugh while the kids wrestled in the yard, Teach the boys how to drive before sixteen, Never thought goodbye would hit this hard. [Verse 1] Never in a million years Did I think I’d be watching sunsets alone, Through the branches of that old oak tree, Where we once called that little house home. I still take care of your flowers, Just like you told me how to do. I still wash the kids’ clothes, The way I watched you show me to. Sometimes I forget to check the mailbox, Sometimes I forget their snack money when they leave, It’s funny how the smallest things Are the things that bring you back to me. I forget everything you did for me, Then I hate myself when I remember. I’d give anything to wake up from this nightmare And find you standing in the kitchen like December never ended. [Chorus – Piano + Violin] I play strong for the kids, But when that bedroom door shuts, I cry. I tell myself, “Don’t let ’em see you, Deago,” Then I fall apart when nobody’s outside. I wish this was just a bad dream, And I’d wake up and everything’d be fine. But every morning comes without you, And every night I lose you one more time. [Verse 2] I regret every day I let you leave, Regret I didn’t stay and say goodbye. Regret all them hours I chose working When I should’ve been right there by your side. I don’t even go outside anymore, That porch don’t feel like home. I don’t even drink liquor anymore, Funny thing is, you know why. I remember the last time I had a drink, And I ain’t touched coffee since you left. I don’t look through that old oak tree, ‘Cause that’s where I see you best. I don’t even iron my jeans no more, Throw ‘em in the dryer and call it good. I know you’d probably laugh at me, Say, “Boy, you never did what you should.” But I’ve tried everything you used to do Just to put you back on my mind— Made your coffee, washed those clothes, Watered flowers, hoping somehow I’d find A little piece of you still living here In all the things you left behind. [Chorus – Bigger] I play strong for the kids, But I’m barely holding on inside. I tell ‘em Daddy’s gonna be alright, Then I turn around and cry. Every bottle’s got a story, Every room still knows your name. The kids are doing better than me, But I smile so they don’t see the pain. [BRIDGE – Half-Time Drums, Distorted Electric Guitar Creeping In] Would you mind if I put this damn house up for sale? ‘Cause every wall’s got a memory I can’t outrun. You painted every room with your own two hands, Now I’m staring at the brushstrokes wondering where the hell you gone. The kids keep asking questions I don’t know how to answer, “When’s Mama coming home?” — God, that one cuts deep. I tell ‘em, “She’s watching over y’all,” Then lock myself in that bedroom where nobody can hear me weep. I don’t drink anymore, Don’t even pour that coffee like I used to. Hell, I don’t even sit beneath that oak tree, ’Cause every damn sunset still looks like you. I throw my jeans inside the dryer, Ain’t ironed a damn thing since you left. I’m forgetting how you did the little things, And somehow that’s what scares me to death. [ELECTRIC GUITAR RIFF – DRUMS BUILD] I’d sell this house, I’d leave this town, I’d drive until these memories couldn’t track me down. But everywhere I go, you’re riding shotgun, And every road just leads me back to what I’ve lost. I should’ve stayed home. I should’ve said goodbye. I should’ve held you longer Instead of thinking I had more time. [FULL BAND EXPLODES] ‘Cause now I’m raising our babies With a hole in my chest where you used to be. And I swear I’m doing everything I can, But some nights they look at me And I know they can see— [BAND DROPS — ONLY VOICE + ACOUSTIC GUITAR] Daddy ain’t okay… [DISTORTED GUITAR CRASHES BACK IN] So if Heaven’s got a porch, And there’s an oak tree standing tall, Baby, save me that swing beside you— ‘Cause this ain’t a home anymore… [PAUSE] …it’s just four walls without you at all.