Momma

Lyrics

[Verse 1 - Sparse acoustic guitar fingerpicking, soft gravelly male vocals, faint harmonica undertones]

Empty chair at the kitchen table
Coffee cold, but your sweater's still there
I keep rehearin' all the words I said
And the ones I held back when you were scared
Hospital halls echo in my sleep
Every beep says what I didn't say

[Chorus - Gentle swell of pedal steel, warm upright bass joining, heartfelt baritone vocals with subtle harmonies]

Why, Momma, why'd you have to go?
I never got to say "I'm sorry" for the times I was low
Why, Momma, why so soon?
I was just learnin' how to be a better man for you
Wish you seen how good your lil' boy is today
I made it, Momma, found my way
I love you, Momma, more than words could ever say
Why, Momma, why?

[Verse 2 - Faded fiddle layer, intimate whisper-sung delivery, slow brush drums fading in]

Porch light flickers like your tired eyes
Old truck in the drive, but no one's comin' home
I trace the lines on your Bible page
Prayin' for forgiveness in the dark alone
Your voice still calls me in from play
But dawn breaks empty, chasin' ghosts away

[Chorus - Building emotional release, fuller mandolin strums, stacked gospel-tinged harmonies, slight reverb on vocals]

Why, Momma, why'd you have to go?
I never got to say "I'm sorry" for the times I was low
Why, Momma, why so soon?
I was just learnin' how to be a better man for you
Wish you seen how good your lil' boy is today
I made it, Momma, found my way
I love you, Momma, more than words could ever say
Why, Momma, why?

[Bridge - Stripped to lone acoustic guitar and soft harmonica wail, raw vulnerable falsetto edges, heavy pause between lines]

If heaven's got a window, look down on me
See the man I became, the boy you set free
One more chance, I'd hold you tight
Sing you this song through the lonesome night

[Outro - Fading pedal steel lament, echoing vocals trailing off, final guitar pluck into silence]

Why, Momma, why...
I love you, Momma...
Why...