May Fear Vanish at Your Stride

[Verse 1]
You were so small
Curls and a blanket
Sleeping on my chest that night
I swore right then
Come hell or high water
I’d stand between you and the bite
[Chorus]
One day this old heart’s gonna lay down
You’ll drive off on some long, bright ride
And I won’t be there
To chase off every shadow
But may fear vanish at your stride
May fear vanish at your stride
When I can’t walk there by your side
[Verse 2]
I see you now
Keys in your pocket
Talking ’bout a brand‑new town
I bite my tongue
Smile in the doorway
But inside I’m breaking down
[Chorus]
’Cause one day this old heart’s gonna lay down
You’ll drive off on some long, bright ride
And I won’t be there
To chase off every shadow
But may fear vanish at your stride
May fear vanish at your stride
When I can’t walk there by your side
[Bridge]
If the road gets rough, hear my voice in your laughter (oh)
In the way that you stand your ground
Every prayer I’ve prayed
Every tear I’ve hidden
Is a fence I built around you now
[Chorus]
So when this worn‑out heart finally lays down
And you’re out on that wild, wide ride
Know I’m still there
In your courage and your kindness
May fear vanish at your stride
May fear vanish at your stride
My girl, hold your head up high
[Outro]
I’ll leave this world
Living, proud, and grateful
Knowing you’ll be alright
And may fear vanish at your stride

country, Warm 90s country ballad in the style of a Garth-era storyteller: male vocals over gentle acoustic and brushed kit, soft pedal steel weaving between phrases. First verse stays stripped with acoustic and light piano, chorus blooms with harmony stack and wide steel swells. Subtle fiddle pads in the second verse, then a key-lifted final chorus for emotional lift, ending on a held vocal and fading steel., stride, beautiful