While I Was Gone is about absence that is not always physical. It is the realization that people grew, opportunities disappeared and seasons passed even during times when the body was present but the person inside was somewhere else.
One of the hardest truths in life is waking up and realizing time moved while I was lost.
People aged. Kids grew up. Parents changed. Opportunities closed. Seasons passed while I was surviving, using, hiding, raging, or disconnected.
I wasn’t always physically gone.
Sometimes I was sitting right there and still absent.
This song is grief for stolen years.
[Verse 1] Came back south with nothin’ left Met a girl who saw my best Loved me through what I had been Stood her ground when they closed in They cut her off, said I was wrong Said I’d break her, wouldn’t last long We built it up from dirt and rust Two hard heads and a little trust [Pre-Chorus] Turnin’ wrenches, workin’ days Fightin’ to live a different way [Chorus] I was buildin’ somethin’ strong Tryna right what I did wrong Every scar I couldn’t hide I just carried it inside Life don’t wait, it don’t slow down Hits you hard, then spins you ‘round I became who I had to be… While the world kept testin’ me [Verse 2 – Ashleigh] Sirens cuttin’ through the night Fire on the left, hold the line Phone lit up, I saw her name Dropped it all, ran through the flame Made it in, just in time Heard that first cry cut the line In that second somethin’ changed… I wasn’t livin’ the same [Pre-Chorus] Every call I used to chase Now I knew what I can’t replace [Chorus] I was buildin’ somethin’ strong Tryna right what I did wrong Every road I chose to take Came with somethin’ I can’t replace Life don’t wait, it don’t slow down Hits you hard, then spins you ‘round I became who I had to be… While the world kept testin’ me [Verse 3 – Destiny] Lights again, another wreck Two souls gone, I won’t forget This time I didn’t stay and fight Turned that wheel and left that night Walked in late, but I was there Held her close, said a prayer Different man, same damn fight… Just tryin’ to get it right [Bridge – father figure] Then the call hit close to home This one cut me to the bone Hands were shakin’, breath ran thin When I saw it was him Dropped down fast, did my part Pushin’ life back in his heart But some fights you’re meant to lose… Even when it’s you [Break – Tulon (Rescue 306)] Carried weight I can’t outrun Rescue 306, I led him home Lights cut through that pourin’ rain… And I ain’t been the same [Verse 4 – Indiana / Dakota] Crossed state lines, started new Still the same, just more to prove Third one came, no sirens loud Just stood there, no crowd No big story, no wild night Just holdin’ on to somethin’ right After everything I’d been through… Peace felt strange,but it was true [Final Chorus] I was buildin’ somethin’ strong Still carry what I did wrong Every life I couldn’t save Still echoes from the grave Life don’t wait, it don’t slow down Breaks you in, then builds you now I became who I had to be… And it still ain’t easy [Outro] Different road, same scars I own… Still standin’ on my own