Midnight Banjo Farewell
Dark country-bluegrass lament about a father's passing and the ache of missing him. Banjo, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and mournful fiddle with subtle ambient textures. Deep, shadowed vocals; finale features layered male vocal overlap.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Your boots still by the door
By the mat you wore down thin
I set the coffee two cups strong
Then I drank mine cold again
Your cap hangs on the nail
Like you just stepped out for a while
But the house keeps countin' loss
In every floorboard, every mile
[Pre-Chorus]
I still hear your laugh
In the screen door's swing
I still reach for you
At the smallest things
[Chorus]
Father, I miss you bad
I miss you bad, I do
This house keeps your shape
But it can't keep you
Father, I miss you bad
Like a field needs rain
Like my name still aches
When nobody says your name (father, I miss you bad)
[Verse 2]
Your old truck won't start
Still parked under the pecan limb
Dust on the dash, tin cans in the bed
And a Bible with your pen tucked in
I found your work gloves once
In the shed with the broken latch
Held 'em to my face and cried
For the hands I can't get back
[Pre-Chorus]
I still hear your laugh
When the coyotes sing
I still miss the man
Behind the little things
[Chorus]
Father, I miss you bad
I miss you bad, I do
This house keeps your shape
But it can't keep you
Father, I miss you bad
Like a field needs rain
Like my name still aches
When nobody says your name (father, I miss you bad)
[Bridge]
If I could climb that hill
And call you back one time
I'd tell you I learned your stubborn
I kept your old straight line
I'd ask one more Sunday
For your hand on my shoulder
The years got heavy, father
And the nights got colder
[Final Chorus]
Father, I miss you bad
I miss you bad, I do
This house keeps your shape
But it can't keep you
Father, I miss you bad
And I always will
Till the dirt turns soft
And my breath goes still (father, I miss you bad)
Father, I miss you bad
I miss you bad, I do
Your voice lives on
In the bones I knew
Father, I miss you bad
Hear me call through rain
I keep your name
I keep your name (father, I miss you bad)