(Gary Morris - Jeffrey Rea)



My father was a private man

Who seldom spoke to me at all

He ruled his house with an iron hand

Still he'd catch me if I'd fall.



My mama's somewhere in my memory

Why she left I never knew

Sometimes I'd see her in daddy's eyes

Then he'd shed a tear or two.



For eighteen years I had to live his ways

I stood man to man that day

He said out the door and you're on your own

But take this with you on your way.



Chorus:

Don't throw wood on a dying fire

Unless you want that fire to burn, burn again 

Tend the embers or spread the ashes

But see it through till the end.



In one ear and I was down the road

The years passed by in nothin' flat

Now I'm starin' at that same heavy load

My daddy carried on his back.



The only woman that I've ever held

I'm havin' trouble holdin' now

She wants to know can we work this out

I know we would if we knew how.



Chorus:

Don't throw wood on a dying fire

Unless you want that fire to burn, burn again 

Tend the embers or spread the ashes

But see it through till the end.



A tear or two and I remembered

The pained expression on his face

Then I thought of what my daddy said

And how it must have hurt to say.



Chorus:

Don't throw wood on a dying fire

Unless you want that fire to burn, burn again 

Tend the embers or spread the ashes

But see it through till the end...