Holler’s Broken Heart

Holler got quiet when you left us.

(quiet, so quiet) Quiet like the Lord done shut the door.

Wind ain’t blowin’ right no more.

(no more, no more) Ain’t blowin’ like it used to before.

Creek’s still runnin’, but it’s runnin’ wrong—

thin as a worn‑out prayer,

tired as an old sad song.

Laurel’s gone dull,

cedar’s leanin’ low,

dirt feels empty

in a way only dirt can know.

This land ain’t forgot you.

(no it ain't) Holler ain’t forgot you.

Ain’t forgot, ain’t forgot—

not now,

not ever.

Folks say time’ll mend it.

Time ain’t mended nothin’ yet.

(nothin' yet)

Sun comes up but

don’t shine right.

Night falls crooked,

always wet.

You warn’t loud, but you mattered.

You warn’t mighty, but you held this place together.

Now the hills got a crack

runnin’ straight through the center— a break they cain’t patch,

a hurt they cain’t render.

We ain’t forgot you.

We cain’t forget you.

Cain’t shake your name loose,

no matter

how the wind blows.

(where'd you go?)

Rain keeps fallin’, heavy as truth,

hittin’ the ground

like it’s lookin’ for proof

you’re comin’ back yonder

’round the bend someday— but the hills know better,

and they hurt anyway.

Holler still calls your name at sundown.

Hills still listen at dawn.

This land ain’t forgot you.

We ain’t forgot you.

Please don’t forget us,

wherever you’ve

gone.