(Verse 1)
Sun ain’t up but the rooster knows
Another name on a pinewood stone
Boots in the mud, shovel in hand
Same old job, same old land
But today that dirt feels heavier
Like the sky’s leaning on my shoulders, sir
I’ve dug a thousand holes in this ground
But this one’s different, I can feel it now
(Pre-Chorus)
Wind’s whispering through the trees
Like it’s saying “take it easy on me”
(Chorus)
’Cause it’s the last time I lower you down
Last handful of this small-town ground
Bell’s gonna ring and the preacher’s gonna pray
But I ain’t got the words to say
I’ve buried strangers, I’ve buried friends
But this hurt don’t feel like it’ll end
Yeah, I’ve done this job a thousand times
But it’s the last time I’m saying goodbye
(Verse 2)
Your mama’s crying in the front row pew
Your daddy’s staring like he don’t know what to do
I keep my head down, don’t make a sound
Just measuring out six feet down
You used to laugh at this old job of mine
Say “man, you spend too much time with the dead, not the living kind”
Now I’d trade every hole I’ve ever made
Just to hear you joke one more day
(Pre-Chorus)
Clouds rolling in like they feel the pain
Even heaven’s struggling with this rain
(Chorus)
’Cause it’s the last time I lower you down
Last handful of this small-town ground
Bell’s gonna ring and the preacher’s gonna pray
But I ain’t got the words to say
I’ve buried strangers, I’ve buried friends
But this hurt don’t feel like it’ll end
Yeah, I’ve done this job a thousand times
But it’s the last time I’m saying goodbye
(Bridge)
Shovel hits wood, yeah that sound cuts deep
Like a promise I know I can’t keep
They all walk off, but I still stay
Talking to a stone with your name
(Soft Chorus)
It’s the last time I lower you down
But I’ll be back around this ground
Talking to the wind, hoping you hear
Every word I couldn’t say while you were here
(Outro)
Sun goes down, shadows grow long
Another soul, another gone
But this old grave digger finally knows
Some holes never really close…*
