Two Old For Trouble But Two Young To Die

Lyrics

[Verse 1 - dusty acoustic guitar, lazy shuffle drums, twangy fiddle, half-spoken comic vocals]
I’m pushin’ forty like a rusted-out Ford
Back’s all bent and my brain’s overboard
I climb that hill and I joke to myself
“If I make it to the top, I might need some help”
‘Cause the good Lord knows I’m tired down deep
Work all day and I still can’t sleep
My wife’s got a plan when the lights go low
And I’m thinkin’, “Honey, I’m too broke to go”

[Verse 2 - full band rolls in, harmonica fills, playful front-porch delivery]
The kids run wild like a stampede in boots
They yell “Dad!” like it’s part of the rules
I love ‘em to death, but they wear me thin
I lock the bathroom door just to get back in
My wife says, “Baby, come on, don’t be shy”
I say, “Darlin’, I’m as tired as a lullaby”
I miss my old man up in heaven above
He’d laugh at my mess and call it “tough love”

[Chorus - bigger singalong country chorus, full band, warm harmonies, catchy hook]
Lord, please help me, I’m a wreck tonight
I’m too old for trouble but too young to die
Got a heart full of worry and a head full of noise
No friends, no rest, just bills and a boy and two girls
If I get to the top of that hill and I slip,
Tell St. Peter I was just takin’ a trip
I’m hangin’ on by a stubborn thread
Halfway broke and half alive in the head

[Verse 3 - tongue-in-cheek, honky-tonk piano, wry vocal grin]
I tried countin’ sheep but they looked like my crew
One had my bills and one had my shoes
The other one said, “Buddy, you’re toast”
Then my alarm clock laughed like it was the host
My wife, she’s a sweetheart, don’t get me wrong
She just wants a love song every night long
But I’m plumb wore out from the day I’ve had
A fella can only fake so much “I’m glad”

[Bridge - stripped back acoustic, soft fiddle weep, sincere but still funny]
So I pray in the dark when nobody hears
“Lord, if you’ve got a minute, could you calm my fears?”
Give me some rest, give me peace, give me grace
And maybe a little room in this crowded place
If heaven’s got open land and a front porch light
Tell my daddy I’m tryin’ to do all right

[Final Chorus - bigger and rowdier, steel guitar soaring, crowd-ready harmonies]
Lord, please help me, I’m a wreck tonight
I’m too old for trouble but too young to die
Got a heart full of worry and a head full of noise
No friends, no rest, just bills and a boy and two girls
If I get to the top of that hill and I slip,
Tell St. Peter I was just takin’ a trip
I’m hangin’ on by a stubborn thread
Halfway broke and half alive in the head

[Outro - fading acoustic guitar, soft fiddle, tired but smiling vocal]
Yeah, I’m a mess, but I’m still here
Laughin’ through the tears and a couple cold beers
Lord, if you’re listenin’, just send me a sign
And maybe let me sleep till a quarter to nine