ONE LAST HUG (Alt 2)

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 mine Holding up this crooked sign Like a joke that lost its punchline Folks slow down, then speed away Lock the doors and face ahead Funny how they pray for heaven But get nervous near the dead I never asked for much alive Just a place beside the fire But a quiet man gets overlooked Till he’s dressed in funeral attire

Pre-Chorus I don’t need your sympathy Don’t need flowers in the mud Come a little closer, darling Death could use some love

Chorus Give me one last hug Before the cold comes through Hold me like the man I was Not the thing they turned me into One last hug That’s all I’m asking of you 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 ones who made me bleed Every hand that touched my shoulder Had a favor close 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 beneath this coat and bone There’s still a man who misses touch

Chorus Give me one last hug Before the night takes hold Hold me like I still got blood Running somewhere through these bones One last hug Don’t make it sweet or beautiful Just hold on long enough to prove I wasn’t always untouchable Don’t worry. If I wanted your soul… I wouldn’t ask nicely.

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 nobody held the man When the man began to fall Turns out being strong for everyone Means no one sees you break at all

Breakdown So here I stand No pride, no blood Just an old dead fool Asking for a hug Give me one last hug Before I fade into the black 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 leave one dying 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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