OLD FRIEND IN TOWN

[Verse 1] He rolled down Main where the trees used to line Stopped by the diner, but they changed the sign Faces in windows, but no one looks twice Just another stranger passing by He once knew this place like the back of his hand Built it with neighbors, not just shifting sand Now it’s towers and flyers, growth in the air But the hearts feel empty, nobody cares [Chorus] There’s an old friend in town, but no one remembers The summers they shaped, the long-burning embers They’re chasing some dream, high-rise and loud But he once knew the soul of this crowd Yeah, there’s an old friend in town... [Verse 2] He ran into Jan by the hardware store light They hugged and they laughed, talked deep into night Reminisced on the porches, the kids and the plans The way they would fix things with time and bare hands They once laid the gardens, painted the halls Held town hall meetings in old union halls Now the mayor just counts heads and dollars each day No one’s asking if it feels okay [Chorus] There’s an old friend in town, and the streets feel colder The lights are still bright, but the love feels older They’ve got contests and fairs, but no one stays long He wonders if maybe he's wrong Yeah, just an old friend in town... [Bridge] And hey— If you’re lucky enough to have someone who knows your soul, Don’t wait for the years just to let them go. Life spins so fast, it’ll pass while you blink— A new mall, a new skyline, but no time to think. So hug that old friend, make time for that call, It’s not the big things—it’s the porch lights, that fall. You’ll trade roots for roads if you don’t hold them tight... And find yourself wondering, alone, late at night— Did I build something real... or just something big? [Verse 3] He saw her downtown where the lamplight was warm Still wore that same smile, unchanged by the storm They talked like the years had just slipped through the seams But she had to run—new plans, new dreams Now he walks by the yard where the maple tree grew The kids are all gone, the laughter feels few He looks at the skyline and back at the ground He’s still not sure if he’s leavin’ this town... [Outro] There’s an old friend in town, and the night’s growing deep He sits on a bench while the city’s asleep Just thinking 'bout roots, and what we call home... Sometimes progress, just leaves you alone [Whispered] There’s an old friend in town, And he's not sure which way to go... Note: This story is a metaphor for.. you guessed it!