Song Description

A poignant country ballad exploring life's impermanence through three generations: a daughter growing up, a marriage ending, and a mother losing her memory to dementia. The song's recurring hook--"only here for a little while"--transforms grief into gratitude, finding meaning in temporary moments. With vivid imagery and universal themes of love and loss, this emotional storyteller's anthem appeals to adult contemporary and Americana markets.

Lyrics

Verse 1:
Those handprints on the window
Get higher every year.
She's got outgrown shoes in boxes
I'm still keeping here.
She's asking bigger questions
Not reaching for my hand.
I always knew this day would come
Just didn't understand.

Pre-Chorus:
Time won't wait on anyone
No matter how we try.

Chorus:
They're only small for a little while
Only growin' tall for a little while.
Every moment's another grain of sand
That disappears right through our hands.
She's only mine for a little while
This is only home for a little while.
Leaving makes the stay worthwhile
'Cause it only lasts a little while.

Verse 2:
He packed his bags last weekend
And headed for the coast.
Our life, my dreams, and half our things
Vanished like a ghost.
We had our turn and burned so bright
Now I'm standing in the smoke.
Some things don't last forever
Even when you hope.

Pre-Chorus:
Love might not stay for everyone
No matter how we tried.

Chorus:
You were only mine for a little while.
It was love on fire for a little while.
Every moment was another grain of sand
That disappeared right through our hands.
You were here for a little while.
I was whole for a little while.
Leaving made the stayin' worthwhile
'Cause it only lasted a little while.

Bridge:
I'm holding Mama's hand tonight
Her memory comes and goes.
But right now she knows my name
This isn't something that she chose.
Her tomorrow's just a shadow
Her yesterday's won't come around.
All we've got is time together
I'll do my best to make it count.

Final Chorus:
'Cause we're only here for a little while
In this place for a little while.
Every moment's another grain of sand
That disappears right through our hands.
I'll love her hard for a little while
And I'll be strong for a little while.
Leaving makes the stay worthwhile
'Cause all we get is just a little while

Outro:
Yeah, all we get is just a little while
(Just a little while)
(Just a little while)