Before I'm Gone

Intro

Yeah...

Look what we built from nothing, son.

This one's for the fathers who gave their lives...

And for every son walking this cold road.

Listen to my heartbeat...

Verse 1

Come and sit beside me, let me speak my truth on the beat,

Never needed money, just to see you stand on your feet.

Never asked for diamonds, never looked for what you could bring,

Having you alive and breathing was my everything!

I remember winter nights, you was crying on my chest,

Freezing in the dark, but that heartbeat put me to rest.

Couldn't even walk, couldn't hold on to my hand,

God supplied the bread, I was out here breaking the land!

Pockets full of dust, but I made a way in the cold,

Sacrificed my youth just to watch my young boy unfold.

Took you to the school, held my jacket, started to cry,

Screaming "Daddy don't leave!" with the tears running out of your eye!

I had to turn my back and let you go...

Hardest step a father ever took in the snow!

Chorus

Just treat me like I treated you!

Pick up the phone when I'm calling through!

Don't turn cold, don't shut that door,

I'm still your father just like before!

When my legs get weak and my time is gone...

Hold my hand, son, carry me on!

Verse 2

We walked through the storms, I slowed down to match up your stride,

Carried all your weight on my shoulders when you was tired.

Fifty questions every single minute of the day,

Looked you in the eyes, never sighed and never ran away!

Hauling heavy steel in the sun till my muscles were numb,

Watching you eat first, then my own full stomach would come.

If I ever came down harsh, it was building your spine,

Making you a soldier 'cause I knew I was running out of time!

Now look at you grown, two feet standing tall in the street,

Running through your prime while my heart is missing a beat!

Years flying fast like the wind blowing over the sand,

Where your chapter starts is where I leave the mic in your hand!

Chorus

Just treat me like I treated you!

Pick up the phone when I'm calling through!

Don't turn cold, don't shut that door,

I'm still your father just like before!

When my legs get weak and my time is gone...

Hold my hand, son, carry me on!

Bridge

Look how the tables turned around...

Look who is frail, and look who is standing proud.

My old hands shake with every cup that I hold,

You're in your fire, while I am freezing and old.

I held your fingers when you took your first stride...

Will you stand with your father on the other side?

Verse 3

This old quiet room is getting darker day after day,

Show a little mercy to your father fading away!

If I ask the same thing twice, please don't raise up your tone,

Remember who wiped your tears when you felt all alone!

Walk me round the block just to feel the warmth of the sun,

Give me some patience, son, my race is finally done!

Nobody knows the day when the final breath is released,

Soon you'll see my empty coat and pray for my peace!

You'll miss the old stories and the hands that gave you the fight,

Looking for my face in the shadows under the light.

So show me love right now while the blood is warm in my chest,

'Cause everything I sacrificed was giving you the best!

Chorus

Just treat me like I treated you!

Pick up the phone when I'm calling through!

Don't turn cold, don't shut that door,

I'm still your father just like before!

When my legs get weak and my time is gone...

Hold my hand, son, carry me on!

Outro

Yeah...

The bass stops beating...

My hands are shaking...

But this soul will always protect you.

Make your father proud, my boy.