Cardboard Boxes

[Intro]
(A simple, melancholic piano melody begins, joined by a gently strummed acoustic guitar.)

[Verse 1 - Him]
There's a pencil mark there on the doorframe, says 'four-foot-three'
From a lifetime ago, when our son was only three.
The floorboards creak a different way without the couch we sold
This whole house is feeling empty, and it's making me feel old.
Just one more room to pack away, one more memory to fold.

[Verse 2 - Her]
I remember bringing Sarah home, wrapped up in a yellow gown
Right here in this living room, we gently laid her down.
This carpet's seen some heartbreaks and it's seen some champagne spills
From a hundred different parties and a thousand different thrills.
Now it's just a faded photograph of a life we have to leave.

[Chorus - Both, in Harmony]
We're down to cardboard boxes and the ghosts of us
A whole damn life of memories is turning into dust.
They can take the roof above our heads, they can take the town we knew
But they can't take the love I got for you.
Yeah, as long as I've got you, my home is anywhere.
Even if it's just a dream built on a whisper and a prayer.

[Verse 3 - Him]
I'm gonna miss the siren from the fire hall at noon
And the way the fireflies all dance underneath that August moon.
I'm gonna miss that corner booth down at the diner on the square...
Seems like every piece of me has a memory anchored there.

[Verse 4 - Her]
I'm gonna miss the gossip that the old ladies all trade
And walkin' through the autumn leaves at the Veteran's Day parade.
This town was more than just a place, it was the blood inside our veins...
Now all that's left to do is pray for heavy, wash-it-out rains.

[Bridge - Trading Lines]
(Her) Are you scared of what we're doing?
(Him) Yeah, I'm terrified.
(Her) Me too, darlin', but look me in the eye...
(Both, in Harmony) We're gonna be alright.

[Instrumental Break]
(A simple, deeply emotional, and heartbreakingly beautiful pedal steel guitar solo, supported by the acoustic guitar and piano. It sounds like a quiet, dignified cry.)

[Chorus - Both, in Harmony]
We're down to cardboard boxes and the ghosts of us
A whole damn life of memories is turning into dust.
They can take the roof above our heads, they can take the town we knew
But they can't take the love I got for you.
Yeah, as long as I've got you, my home is anywhere.
Even if it's just a dream built on a whisper and a prayer.

[Outro - Trading Lines]
(The music fades, leaving just the acoustic guitar. The sound of packing tape being pulled is heard faintly.)
(Him) Guess we should tape this last one up.
(Her) Yeah... one more box to go.
(Him) I love you.
(Her) I know.