Father Fell Between My Hands

[Intro]
You were heavy in my hands
Like you finally let it go
Kitchen floor went far and cold
Time got loud, then slow
[Verse 1]
Nineteen
Thought I knew the line
Between a bad day
And the end of time
You joked ’bout the bills
You said, “I’ll be fine”
Then your eyes rolled back
Like you changed your mind
Shaking in my arms
White foam at your teeth
I was screaming at the air
Like it could breathe for me
Mom on the phone
Can’t stand, can’t speak
“Don’t you dare, old man
You ain’t leaving me”
[Chorus]
You fell between my hands
Like sand through a cracked glass
I was cussing at the ceiling
You were staring past
Thought daddies never die
Thought they just get tired
But you went quiet on my chest
Like someone cut the wire
I still feel that weight at night
I still hear that last small gasp
You fell between my hands
And I can’t get you back
[Verse 2]
Sirens in the drive
They moved you aside
I could taste metal
On the back of my pride
They said words
I can’t repeat, won’t try
“Time of—”
No, shut up
He’s mine
I saw your shirt get cut
I saw your color drain
I saw your tattoo fade
Like it forgot your name
They zipped you up
Like a cheap old coat
I wanted to tear it open
Stuff you back with hope
[Chorus]
You fell between my hands
Like sand through a cracked glass
I was cussing at the ceiling
You were staring past
Thought daddies never die
Thought they just get tired
But you went quiet on my chest
Like someone cut the wire
I still feel that weight at night
I still hear that last small gasp
You fell between my hands
And I can’t get you back
[Bridge]
(Yodel-break)
Hey-ya-ay, my voice just breaks
High on your name, then it falls and shakes
Hey-ya-ay, my throat runs dry
Trying to climb to you through the sky
[Verse 3]
Now every mirror’s got
Your angry jaw
Your calloused hands
On my own raw palms
I laugh like you
Then I choke mid-breath
’Cause the punchline hits
You ain’t coming back
I drink too hard
Then I drop that cup
Scared my son’s gonna see
Me not get up
If I go down slow
Like you went fast
Will he beg the room
For one more chance?
[Chorus]
You fell between my hands
Like sand through a cracked glass
I was cussing at the ceiling
You were staring past
Thought daddies never die
Thought they just get tired
But you went quiet on my chest
Like someone cut the wire
I still feel that weight at night
I still hear that last small gasp
You fell between my hands
And I can’t get you back
[Outro]
Hey-ya-ay
I call your name
Hey-ya-ay
It don’t answer back
Just me in the dark
With my empty hands
Just me at nineteen
Trying to hold you fast

rap, Hybrid dark country-rap with nu metal aggression and hardcore yells; stark a cappella intro blooming into stacked male vocal harmonies that mimic guitars and drums. Verses half-rapped with tight internal rhymes and sharp storytelling; choruses shouted and sung with yodel-inflected lifts on key words. Final section strips back to lone vocal, raw and close, breathing and grit left in the mix., hardcore, a cappella, nu metal, country