The Beginning of Things

He was born a William
But he goes by Bill
He's had some big dreams
And he has 'em still

Well her name's Samantha
Only he calls her Sam
They grew up together
Right outside Birmingham

About halfway through college
With their heads in a whirl
He asked her, "Will you love me always?"
She said, "I always will."

And they started building a house
She's still living there now
With her half-painted porch and rusty gold ring
He only likes the beginning of things
He only likes the beginning of things

Now Bill's getting older
He ain't settled down still
He's got a daughter out of college
And she calls him Bill

And she goes to visit her mother
Where there's good days and bad
She only recognizes her half the time but she's always glad

She still recalls building a house
As if it's happening now
With her half-painted porch and rusty gold ring
He only likes the beginning of things
He only likes the beginning of things

Soon after daughter's last visit
Samantha passes away
The whole family surrounded her just the other day
He was the third one to get there
Just mother, and daughter, and Bill
She said, "Mother never blamed you, but I always will."

And he grabs his coat and his hat
She ain't surprised by that
He's a half-painted porch, a rusty gold ring
He only likes the beginning of things
He only likes the beginning of things