To the ones that came before me

 To the ones that came before me (a homage to my parents)

To the ones that came before me

To the ones that gave me breath

To the ones that came a long way

To call somewhere their home

A climb against the sea

The path more dark than bright

A way opened by faith

to the land that saw them free

Rising hands in broken sound

the silent clasp of unseen wings

It was a long haul

It was a hard fought

they made it through all

we tie the knot

Build a house we call it home

working hard, knees on the floor

I saw them pray and so I learned

that blessings come, the Lord is good

Thank my God; and mom and dad

for that great joy of growing up

in that old house, we call it home

old and all, but full of love

The tempest raged yet homeward bound 

against the wind still they sing

It was a long haul

It was a hard fought

they made it through all

we tie the knot

In our hearts their roots sprang deep

the legacy they forge in free

our sons and daughters and all to see

that faith and love turns chalk to steel

It was a long haul

It was a hard fought

they made it through all

we tie the knot

Rising hands in broken sound

the silent clasp of unseen wings

The tempest raged yet homeward bound 

against the wind still they sing