THEY WEREN’T GONNA LOSE ME
Back when life was gravel roads and dust
Cheap beer nights and a young man’s trust
Didn’t think ‘bout the miles ahead
Or the weight I’d carry instead
Mid-twenties hit, and the pain came fast
Old injuries from my reckless past
Every step felt like a knife
Just tryin’ to make it through the night
Doctor said, “Son, this’ll help you heal
Little white pills, took away what I feel
I didn’t see it comin’, didn’t know the cost
Somewhere down that road, I got lost
One turned to two, then I couldn’t sleep
Without somethin’ runnin’ through my veins, deep
I traded my soul, for a little relief
Turned my back on the man in me
But love wouldn’t let me fade away
They stood their ground they made me stay
Yeah, they weren’t gonna lose me
Pawn shop signs and a guilty mind
Sold everything that I called mine
Stole from the ones who trusted me
Burned every bridge I couldn’t see
Blue lights flash in a rearview haze
County jail took a few more days
Twice I sat in a cold back cell
Talkin’ to a life I knew too well
Three times I crossed that dead-end line
One flight away, from losin’ my life
I didn’t see it comin’, didn’t know the cost
Somewhere down that road, I got lost
One turned to two, then I couldn’t sleep
Without somethin’ runnin’ through my veins deep
I traded my soul, for a little relief
Turned my back on the man in me
But love wouldn’t let me fade away
They stood their ground, they made me stay
Yeah, they weren’t gonna lose me
Early thirties, worn and tired
Sick of livin’ like I was wired
Said I’d quit, but I slipped again
Fell right back where I’d always been
Then one night they all showed up
Tears in their eyes, but their voices tough
Said, “We love you, but this ends now
We’re not gonna watch you go down
First few weeks felt like hell on earth
Shakin’, breakin’, fightin’ the hurt
Every second beggin’ for more
But they stood like a wall at my door
Mama prayed and my daddy stayed
Through every word that I threw their way
When I couldn’t stand, they carried me
Said, “We ain’t lettin’ you leave
I finally saw it yeah, I felt the cost
All those years I was so damn lost
But I’m breathin’ now and I finally see
What their love really did for me
I got my soul back piece by piece
Found my way to a little peace
I’m standin’ here ‘cause they wouldn’t leave
Yeah, they fought like hell for me
No, they weren’t gonna lose me
Now every sunrise feels brand new
I’m livin’ proof of what love can do
I should be gone, but I still breathe
‘Cause they weren’t gonna lose me