[Verse 1]
You were fifty-one
I was seventeen and some change
Thought we'd fight about curfews forever
Not plan flowers and your grave
2020 took your laughter
And the old house feels too big
Every birthday, every Sunday dinner
Got an empty chair that digs
[Chorus]
Now I'm twenty-three and my world is broken
Talking to your picture like the glass is open
Mama, can you hear me in that better place?
I'm still your kid, stuck in this space
Half my heart is here, half my heart is where you've gone
I'm learning how to live
(yeah, I'm learning how to live)
With half my heart holding on
[Verse 2]
[Mom:] Baby, I was watching
When you cried behind that wheel
Driving home from one more night shift
Wondering if this hurt can heal
You think you're all alone there
But I'm closer than you know
In the quiet of that bedroom
I'm the voice that tells you "go"
[Chorus]
[Both:] Now you're twenty-three and your world feels broken
You talk to my picture like the glass is open
[Mom:] I hear every word you say at night
[You:] I'm still your kid, trying to get it right
[Both:] Half my heart is here, half my heart is where you’ve gone
We're learning how to love
(oh, we're learning how to love)
With half our hearts holding on
[Bridge]
[You:] I miss your coffee on the counter
Your old songs on in the car
The way you'd roll your eyes and hug me
Say, "Don't you ever dim your star"
[Mom:] So chase that dream you’re scared of
Laugh too loud, stay kind, stay strong
When you feel like you’re in pieces
That’s just me still tagging along
[Chorus]
[Both:] Now I'm twenty-three, yeah, my heart was broken
But your words in my memory keep my faith wide open
[You:] Mama, I can feel you when the night gets long
[Mom:] You’ve been my miracle all along
[Both:] Half my heart is here, half my heart is where you’ve gone
But every tear and every breath
Is one more step to carry on
Half my heart’s in heaven
Half my heart is singing on and on
[Outro]
[You:] I was seventeen and a half when you slipped away
[Mom:] You’ll be my baby when your hair turns gray
[Both:] Two voices, one love, one unbroken song
Half my heart down here
Half my heart still holding on