Never Got to Say Goodbye" (Genre: Country/Soul Ballad)

[Verse 1] I was nineteen, lost and torn apart Tried to end it all with a heavy heart Mama held on tight through the darkest night Whispered, "You’re still here — you gotta f***t." Joined the service, tried to find some peace But the w*r inside never gave me release Came home broken, ashamed and confused She welcomed me back like love always do [Chorus] But I never got to say goodbye Never said I’m sorry for the times I made her cry She gave me grace I never did deserve I gave her pain, and silence in return Now I carry this guilt I can’t deny 'Cause I never got to say goodbye [Verse 2] Used her card to ink my skin She found out and cried again Not 'cause of money or what I’d done But 'cause she feared she was losing her son I was in and out of trouble, chasing highs Every time I fell, she wiped her eyes In April '05, I made a choice That nearly drowned out her hopeful voice Wound up locked in a county cell Mama tried, but she couldn’t help October came, she came to see Tears in her eyes, just asking about me [Chorus] But I never got to say goodbye I lashed out in anger, couldn’t even try Told her things that I can't take back Watched her walk away under all that weight I stacked Two weeks later, she closed her eyes And I never got to say goodbye [Bridge] Now her picture’s all I’ve got left And the sound of her prayers echo in my chest If I could go back, I’d hold her tight Tell her she was my guiding light [Final Chorus] But I never got to say goodbye Never gave her peace, never dried her eyes She gave me love no matter what I’d done Now all I wish is just one more hug To say I’m sorry, and mean it this time But I never got to say goodbye [Outro] Yeah, I live with this pain and I won’t lie I never got to say goodbye