[Intro]
April air went still at three twelve
The whole room changed when you left
[Verse 1]
Dad, you wore that badge with a steady hand
Kept your word like a promise carved in stone
Retired from the calls, never retired from love
Still the first one making sure we got home
You carried every name that needed saving
Never asked for praise, never needed a crowd
And the Knights stood close beside your family
While your courage kept speaking out loud
[Pre-Chorus]
Now I hold the stories you gave me
Every hard truth, every laugh in the kitchen
You taught me love is a choice we keep making
Even when the whole world is breaking
[Chorus]
April eighteenth, three twelve
You left this world but not ourselves
Your love still burns through every room
A faithful heart that beat past gloom
For the love of your life, you gave your all
Through every rise and every fall
Dad, I’ll carry your name through the dark
You’re gone from my sight, not gone from my heart
[Verse 2]
She was your home, your reason, your forever
The one you chose in every season and storm
You looked at her like the years were still beginning
Like devotion could keep a lifetime warm
And when the night put distance between us
I heard your voice in the things that I do
Stand up straight, protect what matters
Keep your hands open, keep your promises true
[Rap Verse]
I got your backbone under my skin
Your old stories rattling where my fears have been
You taught me a man can be fierce and gentle
Hold the line, then forgive when the hurt gets heavy
Officer retired, but the watch never ended
Every soul you loved stayed guarded and defended
April took the breath, not the bond we made
I’ll turn every tear into the life you saved
[Pre-Chorus]
I still feel you when the silence gets loud
In the vows, in the jokes, in the faces around
If heaven has a door, you walked through it proud
And your love is the flag we keep holding now
[Chorus]
April eighteenth, three twelve
You left this world but not ourselves
Your love still burns through every room
A faithful heart that beat past gloom
For the love of your life, you gave your all
Through every rise and every fall
Dad, I’ll carry your name through the dark
You’re gone from my sight, not gone from my heart
[Hardcore Breakdown]
I’M STILL HERE!
BECAUSE YOU TAUGHT ME HOW TO STAND!
I’M STILL HERE!
WITH YOUR LOVE IN BOTH MY HANDS!
NO GOODBYE!
CAN ERASE WHAT YOU BECAME!
DAD, YOUR HEART!
YOUR HEART STILL CALLS MY NAME!
[Bridge]
If she reaches for you in the quiet
Tell her I’m keeping the promise you made
I’ll love her with the strength you showed us
I’ll honor the life that your hands helped create
[Final Chorus]
April eighteenth, three twelve
You left this world but not ourselves
Your love still burns through every room
A faithful heart that beat past gloom
For the love of your life, you gave your all
Through every rise and every fall
Dad, I’ll carry your name through the dark
You’re gone from my sight, not gone from my heart
[Outro]
Rest easy, Dad, your watch is done
Your love lives on in everyone
At three twelve, the sky grew wide
But you’re still walking by our side