[Soft Upright Bass • Gentle Piano • Slow Brushed Drums • Warm Trumpet • Church Organ in the Distance]
[Verse 1]
Down in New Orleans where the river rolls slow
Under stained-glass windows and a heavenly glow
There stood a man with steady hands and faith so strong
Joseph Damukaitis singing old church songs
Sunday morning jackets, Bible by his chair
A voice full of kindness and silver in his prayer
Tall as the oak trees, strong as amazing grace
And every room felt safer when you saw his face
[Verse 2]
I was just a child reaching for your hand
Learning how to love and how to understand
You carried all our burdens like the Lord carried yours
Still smiling through the pain behind closed doors
Cancer tried to steal the light from your eyes
But Heaven heard your prayers before goodbye
And though the angels called you far away from me
Your spirit never left… it still walks beside me
[Chorus]
Oh Poppy, I still hear your footsteps in the hall
Still feel your arms around me when my whole world falls
And when the midnight hurt cuts deep inside my chest
I swear I hear God whisper, “Child, he’s finally at rest”
But love don’t die when Heaven opens wide
No, it waits beyond the stars on the other side
And every dream you visit feels so real and warm
Like Jesus let you borrow wings to help me through the storm
[Instrumental Break – Slow Jazz Trumpet Solo]
[Soft church organ rises while strings swell gently]
[Verse 3]
Now my wedding day is getting close somehow
And I keep wishing you could see me now
I picture you standing there beside the aisle
Tears in your eyes and that proud little smile
I’ll save a chair in memory of your name
Cause this family love still burns like a flame
And when the music plays and Heaven shines above
I know you’ll be dancing there through the Father’s love
[Bridge – Gospel Build]
Maybe Heaven ain’t so far away
Maybe love still speaks though we can’t stay
Maybe every prayer reaches through the skies
And the Lord lets angels visit us sometimes
Cause I’ve seen you in dreams so vivid and bright
Heard your voice calm my soul at night
And when I break down missing you again
I feel your spirit say, “We ain’t reached the end”
[Final Chorus – Bigger, More Emotional]
Oh Poppy, your faith still carries me along
You taught me pain can still become a song
And though the cancer took your earthly breath away
Your soul keeps shining brighter every day
So when they play this song beneath those wedding lights
I’ll look toward Heaven with tears in my eyes
And somewhere past the moon where the saints all sing
I know you’ll be smiling while the jazz horns ring
[Outro – Quiet New Orleans Jazz]
Trumpets crying softly…
Church bells ringing low…
And a whisper through the Louisiana wind:
“I’m still here, baby girl…
Just follow the music home.”
shelbskj_99
