Blacktop Prayer

You left your ring in the ashtray

By the dash on my side

I still see your chair

In that empty porch light

Rain keeps tapping the hood

Like a debt that won't die

And I drive past your house

Just to hurt one more time

I said I was fine

Then the truth came in

Like a fence-line fire

Burning skin

Blacktop prayer

Take me there

(blacktop prayer)

Where your name still stings the air

Blacktop prayer

I still care

(blacktop prayer)

Even when you ain't there

Your mama still calls on Sundays

I let it ring too long

There’s a stain on the front seat

From the night you were gone

I’ve been strong for the county

I’ve been strong for the boys

But this old heart in my chest

Still makes a breaking noise

I said I was fine

Then the truth came in

Like a fence-line fire

Burning skin

Blacktop prayer

Take me there

(blacktop prayer)

Where your name still stings the air

Blacktop prayer

I still care

(blacktop prayer)

Even when you ain't there

If I ever find heaven

It won't look like gold

It'll look like your truck bed

And that gravel road

If mercy comes crawling

Let it find me here

With my hands on the wheel

And my eyes full of tears

Blacktop prayer

Take me there

(blacktop prayer)

Where your name still stings the air

Blacktop prayer

I still care

(blacktop prayer)

Even when you ain't there

Blacktop prayer

Hard to bear

(blacktop prayer)

But I’m still saying it out there