List

Verse 1
I came home to a quiet house
Boots by the door, lights burned out
There’s a photograph on the shelf
Of a man I don’t know no more

Verse 2
They said the war was finally done
But the war followed me back home
There’s names carved into my mind
And I carry them like stone

Chorus
I got a list and it won’t let me sleep
Every name is a promise I keep
I hear their voices in the dark at night
Saying make it right… make it right
I got a list and the list got me
Ain’t no judge, ain’t no jury
Just a ghost of a man I used to be
And a list that’s killing me

Verse 3
I walk alone down empty roads
With a cold steel friend and a heavy soul
Preacher says I should let it go
But he never buried his brothers before

Verse 4
I don’t drink but I might tonight
Just to try and quiet the noise
But the truth is a man like me
Don’t come back from making these choices

Chorus
I got a list and it won’t let me sleep
Every name is a promise I keep
I hear their voices in the dark at night
Saying make it right… make it right
I got a list and the list got me
Ain’t no judge, ain’t no jury
Just a ghost of a man I used to be
And a list that’s killing me

Bridge (very quiet, almost spoken)
If I see the gates of heaven
I know I’ll be turned around
But I’ll stand with my brothers again
When they lay me in the ground

Final Chorus
I had a list, now the list is done
But it cost me everything I love
If you’re hearing this, don’t be like me
Leave some war when you come home, son

Outro
There’s a photograph on the shelf
Of a man I used to be
He looks like me…
But he ain’t me

Dark Americana, alternative country, folk, roots rock, Very slow tempo, Acoustic guitar, Deep raspy voice