My father's last Wish

[Intro – soft fingerpicked acoustic guitar, faint cello hum] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – warm guitar arpeggios, quiet brush drums] The porch swing creaks where you used to sit Coffee steam curled 'round your weathered wrist You held my hand when the world felt thin Said "son, don't let the dark dim your chin" [Pre-Chorus – subtle cello swell, rising vocal tone] Your voice got soft when the clock ran late Eyes like the sky before the rain Said there's one thing I need you to know Before I have to let you go [Chorus 1 – full acoustic guitar, cello melody, gentle harmony] Plant the oak where the old well stood Watch it grow like you said it would Love the ones who love you back Don't let the past tie your tracks [Post-Chorus – wordless vocal hum, fading guitar] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 2 – guitar continues, soft piano accents] You showed me how to fix a broken fence How to laugh when the harvest made no sense You carried me through the fevered night Whispered this world's gonna treat you right [Pre-Chorus 2 – cello swells louder, vocals more urgent] Your breath got light when the sun went down Hand in mine, you didn't make a sound But I heard the wish you couldn't speak The one that's been with me all week [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, cello and piano harmony] Plant the oak where the old well stood Watch it grow like you said it would Love the ones who love you back Don't let the past tie your tracks Keep the stories alive each day Let your heart lead the way [Bridge – sparse guitar, solo cello, intimate vocals] I dug the hole when the spring came 'round Placed your favorite seed in the ground I talk to you when the leaves turn gold Told you all the stories you never told [Solo – gentle acoustic guitar solo, cello backing] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – full band, soaring vocals, emotional peak] The oak now stands where the old well stood Grew so tall like you said it would I love the ones who love me back Let the past fade off my tracks I keep the stories alive each day Let my heart lead the way [Outro – soft guitar strums, fading cello, quiet vocals] The oak sways slow in the summer breeze I know you're watching over me