i heard him pray
it was just the other day
he was on his knees
begging 'spare her, take me'
i lifted my head
he caught my interest
from the hospital bed
he looked at me
and i could see
the darkness had taken him

i said 'boy, don't die for
someone who's already dead.
'boy, don't cry for someone
who can't cry back.'
he just smiled
like i was a child
said 'i don't think it's failure
to never give up'

i heard him laugh
when i crawled in last
he crawled beside me
trying to believe
but i know I'm gone
from these hills of gold and bronze
passed away
like summer to winter rain

i said 'boy, don't die for someone
who's already dead.
'boy, don't cry for someone
who can't cry back'
he just smiled
like i was a child
said 'i don't think it's failure
to never give up'

and i know he'll keep waiting
though my heart is failing
if i close my eyes
he fears they might never open
but i hear my heartbeat
through my ears
and i know I'll keep fighting
though the end is near

i said 'boy, don't die for someone
who's already dead.
'boy, don't cry for someone
who can't cry back.'
he just smiled
like i was a child
said 'i don't think it's failure
to never give up...'