*Verse 1*
He’d fix my bike chain with hands all black with grease
Hummed old songs while he taught me how to tie my shoes
Taught me “a man keeps his word” under the mango tree
Said “son, protect what’s yours” — I didn’t know he meant you
*Chorus*
But love don’t live where respect goes to die
He packed his bags one Tuesday, eyes wet but dry
Said “I love you boys more than air, more than my name
But I can’t teach you honor watching your mama take the blame”
So he left… but he still loved us
*Verse 2*
I found his letters years later, folded in a Bible page
“Don’t be bitter, be better. Anger’s a cheap wage”
He missed graduations, missed my first fight, my first scar
But he paid school fees every month from wherever he are
*Chorus*
‘Cause love don’t live where respect goes to die
He chose silence over screaming, peace over pride
Told his brother “Tell my kids I’m not a ghost, I’m a man
A man who walked so they’d know how to stand”
So he left… but he still loved us
*Bridge*
I used to hate him for the empty chair at Christmas dinner
Now I see the weight of loving two people, and choosing neither to injure
He couldn’t stay and watch disrespect become our normal view
So he loved us enough to leave, and love her enough to not fight too
*Outro*
He still loved us…
From a distance, from the quiet, from the man he chose to be
Love don’t always hold you close — sometimes it sets you free
