Too Soon to Say Goodbye

To Austin she returned that spring
After years of roaming wide
Didn't say much to the old friends
As her truck pulled off the side
No one asked about her reasons
For this seemingly random stop
An aura of sadness trailed her
As she climbed the porch to knock

Too soon to say goodbye
Too soon to let him go

Too soon for the tears she'll cry
Her daddy's fire burning low

It was early April morning
When she crossed that threshold step
He was frail and failing swiftly
From the illness he had kept
The mighty cowboy she remembered
Now a whisper thin
He'll see his final campfire
Before that dark days end

Too soon to say goodbye
Too soon to let him go

Too soon for the tears she'll cry
Her daddy's fire burning low

In this small Texan town
Lived the star of a young girl's show
The toughest damn cowhand
These parts will ever know
Stern but sweet
Stern but sweet
On this day in April his maker he would meet

Now his only livin' daughter
Had moved out west to roam
But standn' on that porch she regretted leaving home

Here to walk her papa down to heaven's gate
She closed her eyes and prayed a prayer that she was not too late

He smiled at her with eyes that said his time was through
She looked back at him through tears
For the days were far too few

She watched the sickness deepen
His strength begin to wane
She held tight his calloused hand
As the Lord called out his name

Their eyes locked tight
His would slowly dim
Before his final breath, she cried "Oh Lord

Please God take good care of him"

Too soon to say goodbye
Too soon to let him go

Too soon for the tears she'll cry
Her daddy's fire burning low