Young boy kneels on the ground by a dog whose day is done
For fourteen years these two have lived as one
But there comes a time when every old dog dies
The boy knows he never should have let it take him by surprise
But he's leaving now that's what the old dog's eyes did say
There are no words; the boy can use to make him stay
'Cause in his heart he knows it ain't no use
He'll turn his head, then he'll turn him loose
Mother stands in the doorway where I lived for sixteen years
Her mind is filled with memories, but her eyes are filled with tears
She doesn't find it one bit funny how time flies
She knows she never should have let it take her by surprise
But I'm leaving home, she knows that's what I'm gonna say
She's searching hard to find the words that will make me stay
But in her heart, she knows it ain't no use
She's better off to turn me loose
Say what you mean, come on try to speak
My stomach's trying to get out and my knees are getting weak
I've never seen that look before in your eyes
I know I never should have let this thing take me by surprise
But you're leaving me, I know that's what you're gonna say
I'm searching hard to find the words that will make you stay
Thought in my heart I know it ain't no use
I still can't turn you loose
I just can't turn you loose
I know it ain't no use
I still can't turn you loose