Ashes off my hand

(Verse 1)

I was driving home through another quiet night

Same old coffee cup riding shotgun on my right

Backseat full of memories I swore I’d never touch

A heart duct-taped together, said I’d already bled enough

But then you walked in like sunrise through a busted door

And I felt something shift that I ain’t felt before

Like someone lit a match in a room I left for dead

Yeah, you pulled me out the shadows living rent-free in my head

(Pre-Chorus)

And I don’t know how you saw through all that smoke I made

But you reached right in, pulled the man from under all the frayed

(Chorus)

Now I’m standing here trying to wipe the ashes off my hands

’Cause you make me feel like I could learn to love again

All my dark ways, Kota, I’m laying ’em down tonight

No more hiding in the wreckage, no more losing every fight

You’re the reason I’m breathing like a brand-new man

Yeah, you got me wiping all the ashes off my hands

(Verse 2)

I used to sleep with all the lights off in my chest

Like I was guarding every ghost I couldn’t put to rest

But you pulled the curtain back, showed me what a tomorrow is

Now these cracked-up knuckles wanna learn how to live

I ain’t perfect, but damn I’m trying hard for you

And every mile of damage still feels worth walking through

’Cause you’re proof that even broken hearts can mend

I gave up on love… then you walked in again

(Pre-Chorus)

And I don’t know how you heard me through all that quiet pain

But your voice hit different — like thunder calling out my name

(Chorus)

Now I’m standing here trying to wipe the ashes off my hands

’Cause you make me feel like I could learn to love again

All my dark ways, yeah, I’m laying ’em down tonight

No more hiding in the wreckage, no more losing every fight

You’re the reason I’m breathing like a brand-new man

Yeah, you got me wiping all the ashes off my hands

(Bridge – slow, heavy, emotional)

Maybe second chances ain’t just stories people tell

Maybe there’s a way out of my self-made hell

If you stay with me, I’ll break these chains I built

I’ll trade every lonely night for a lifetime of what we feel

(Final Chorus – big, soaring)

Now I’m standing here trying to wipe the ashes off my hands

’Cause you showed me that a heart still burns when someone understands

All those dark days, I’m letting them fall behind

You’re the light that made the shadows lose their spine

And I ain’t running anymore — I’ll rise, I’ll stand

’Cause you got me wiping all the ashes off my hands

(Outro – last ~20 seconds, fading)

Yeah, you saved me from the man I used to be

And I’m learning how to love again… if you’ll stay with me