Today a man came to our door
Dressed in black with news of war
A face I'd never seeen before
But Bill, I never will forget him
I knew at once that you were gone
He tipped his hat and then moved on
And left my world a cold and empty space
Such a lonely place

But for the promise
That we made so long ago
For the nights
When you held me in your arms
I will keep life's fragile flame
For the honor of your name

I don't know what to do right now
Except to struggle on somehow
I've learned to sew, I'll learn to plow
And Bill, I never will forget you
The kids and I my move out west
I'll take our dream and leave the rest
There's nothing for my broken heart to do
Except write these words to you

For the promise
That we made so long ago
For the love
All the love that will not die
I will keep life's fragile flame
For the honor of your name

And maybe someday when I'm stronger
I will look back on this day
And understand all the reasons why
The good lord took you away

But for the promise
That we made so long ago
For the man
That I see in our son's eyes
I will keep life's fragile flame
For the honor of your name