ONE LAST HUG (Alt 1)

Intro Everybody wants something from death. A warning. A bargain. More time. Me? I just want one last hug.

Verse 1 I’ve been standing by this road Since the county buried me Holding up this crooked sign Like the punchline outlived me Folks slow down, then speed away Lock their doors and face ahead Funny how they pray for heaven But get nervous near the dead I never asked for much alive Just one chair beside the fire One voice saying, “Stay awhile” Like my leaving wasn’t required

Pre-Chorus I don’t need your sympathy Don’t need flowers in the mud Come a little closer, darling Even death gets lonesome, love

Chorus Give me one last hug Before the last warm thing is gone Hold me like the man I was Before the whole damn world moved on One last hug That’s all I’m asking you to do I’ve been held down, held back, held guilty But I was never held by you One last hug… Come on, now I don’t bite Much

Verse 2 I watched brothers disappear Watched good women learn to leave Watched the preacher sell forgiveness To the bastards who made me bleed Every hand upon my shoulder Had a favor tucked behind Every “brother” came with interest Every “love you” had a price So I learned to keep my distance Kept my feelings six feet deep Now the only arms around me Are the roots beneath my feet

Pre-Chorus Maybe I look like bad news Maybe kindness turned to rust But there’s still one warm thing rattling Somewhere underneath this dust

Chorus Give me one last hug Before the night takes hold Wrap your arms around these ribs Like there’s still a heart below One last hug Don’t make it sweet or beautiful Just hold on long enough to prove I wasn’t always untouchable Relax. I ain’t after your soul. I’m just tired Of the damn cold.

Bridge I held my mother when she shook Held my brother when he died Held a bottle every evening Held a pistol once or twice Held my tongue for every bastard Held the line when no one came Held the weight of being needed Till it hollowed out my name But no one held me upright When my damned knees finally gave Turns out being strong for everyone Is just a slower kind of grave

Breakdown So here I stand No pride, no blood Just a dead man Who still needs love Give me one last hug Before the road forgets my tracks Wrap your arms around these bones Like you’re trying to bring me back One last hug Then I swear I’ll let you go You don’t have to love the dead Just don’t make the dead die twice alone Give me one last hug No prayer, no promise, no goodbye Hold me like I still belong Somewhere beneath this goddamn sky One last hug That’s all death ever wanted from you Not your fear Not your soul Just one thing No one thought to do

Outro Well… Whose turn is it?

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