Raise a Glass

[Verse 1]
Here’s to the love that once was mine
Warm and bright, a shining flame
Now it’s cold, a ghost of time
Lost between the rules and blame

Here’s to the job that keeps me fed
Steady pay, a place to go
Steals my hours, steals my head
Never gives a little more

[Chorus]
Raise a glass for the life we’ve lived
Sweet beginnings, bitter ends
Toast the joy, toast the pain
Toast the wounds we try to mend
Here’s to the souls we leaned upon
Now they’re gone or pulled us down
Drink it down, and start again
Here’s to what we lose

[Verse 2]
Here’s to my daughter, growing fast
Every laugh, each tiny hand
Years are gone, they never last
Childhood slips like grains of sand

Here’s to the friends that seemed so right
Late-night laughs, adventures bold
Turned out toxic, out of sight
Left me cold, or left me sold

[Chorus]
Raise a glass for the life we’ve lived
Sweet beginnings, bitter ends
Toast the joy, toast the pain
Toast the wounds we try to mend
Here’s to the souls we leaned upon
Now they’re gone or pulled us down
Drink it down, and start again
Here’s to what we lose

[Bridge]
Here’s to life that keeps on striking
Pushes hard, then moves along
Here’s to hope that fades in timing
Every victory feels like wrong

[Violin Solo]

[Final Chorus]
Raise a glass for the love and loss
Every blessing comes with cost
Toast the kids, toast the dreams
Toast the tears behind the beams
Here’s to the souls we leaned upon
Now they’re gone or pulled us down
Raise it high, then pour it blind
Here’s to all we lack

[Outro]
Glass is empty, nights grow long
We keep walking, keep the song
Raise it once, and raise it twice
Here’s to fire, here’s to ice

Dark rock/Goth 'n roll, anthemic chorus, nostalgic, bar style, male baritone