The Boots Left Behind

[Verse 1]
Mud on the laces
Dust on the tongue
Boots by the door
Where his old rifle hung
Name tag faded
From a war far away
One heel worn down
From the weight of the days
[Chorus]
These are the boots left behind
Scuffed-up stories in the stitching and the grime
Every mile, every march
Every whispered prayer at night
You can hear their hearts still walking
In the boots left behind
[Verse 2]
Next pair’s cracked leather
Red clay in the seams
Field by the highway
And a sky full of steam
He walked out at sunrise
Came home at dark
Rain in his footprints
Corn dust in his heart
[Chorus]
These are the boots left behind
Scuffed-up stories in the stitching and the grime
Every furrow, every row
Every drought he fought in silence
You can hear his hope still working
In the boots left behind
[Bridge]
By a small wooden cradle
On a worn kitchen floor
Little boots, little laces
Kicked off by the door
He stayed for birthdays
Missed a few nights
Left his own pair one morning
When the road turned to light
[Chorus]
These are the boots left behind
Scuffed-up stories in the stitching and the grime
Every promise, every hug
Every lullaby at night
You can feel their love still standing
In the boots left behind
[Outro]
Three pairs in a row now
Silent under the light
But the house keeps on listening
To their ghosts in the night
Step by step, line by line
We all walk on
In the boots left behind

country, Warm country ballad with male vocals, gentle fingerpicked acoustic guitar and soft pedal steel; verses stay intimate and narrative, light upright bass and brushed snare entering gradually. Chorus swells with close harmonies and organ pad, bridge strips back to just voice and guitar before a final, heartfelt chorus., ballad