I know you saw no way out,
but you didn’t have to leave like this,
your soul consumed with pain and doubt,
but you didn’t have to leave like this,
didn’t have to leave us wondering
what we could’ve done, if anything?
I know you were suffering, but you didn’t have to leave,
didn’t have to leave like this..

you shone bright as any light,
why’d you have to leave like this?
I see you when I close my eyes,
why’d you have to leave like this?
why’d you have to leave us mystified?
we didn’t even get to say goodbye,
how can so much life just die? you didn’t have to leave,
didn’t have to leave like this,
I’m passing through a little town
where they tore the burned-out courthouse down,
now all that’s there is barren ground,
but I still hear the bells ring out..

trade all colors in for black..
erase this song—here, take it back..
I know you would have laughed again,
it’s not alright, I won’t pretend,
I know this sickness killed you, friend, but you didn’t have to leave,
didn’t have to leave like,
didn’t have to leave us wondering
what we could’ve done, if anything?
I know you were suffering, but you didn’t have to leave,
didn’t have to leave like this..
I’m passing through a little town
where they tore the burned-out courthouse down,
now all that’s there is barren ground,
but I still hear the bells ring out…