The Story Behind the Song

Some of my most treasured memories with Collin were the times we spent hunting together. From the hills of San Saba to the creek beds of Salado, those trips were never really about the deer. They were about the time we shared as father and son. The early mornings, the quiet conversations, the excitement, and simply being together.

Lyrics

Verse 1
From Cypress backroads where the tall pines sway,
To San Saba hills at the break of day.
I still see your boots by the cabin door,
But the echoes of your laughter don’t walk here no more.

Verse 2
You were twelve years old when we chased that dawn,
Whitetail running, the frost on the lawn.
I taught you to aim, to breathe, to be still,
Now I pray for the strength that I can’t seem to will.

Chorus
And Jesus, hold my boy tonight,
Guide him safe in heaven’s light.
I’ll keep walking this broken land,
Till I see him again where the angels stand.
From the fields of Texas to the skies so new,
I once hunted with you—now my heart hunts for you.

⸻

Verse 3
In Salado creek beds, the water runs clear,
I can almost hear your voice saying, “Dad, I’m right here.”
But I reach through the silence, the cedar and pine,
And I whisper your name to the heart of Divine.

Verse 4
The rifle hangs quiet on the old barn wall,
A shadow of hunts that I still recall.
It ain’t the deer now my soul longs to find,
It’s my son in the arms of the One most kind.

Chorus
And Jesus, hold my boy tonight,
Guide him safe in heaven’s light.
I’ll keep walking this broken land,
Till I see him again where the angels stand.
From the hills of Texas to the skies so true,
I once hunted with you—now my heart hunts for you.

⸻

Bridge 1 (Scripture)
“Blessed are those who mourn,” You said,
But Lord, I feel half-alive, half-dead.
Psalm 23 leads me through this pain,
To the valley of shadows where I call Your name.

Verse 5
The deer still cross those San Saba plains,
But without you, boy, it don’t feel the same.
I kneel where we tracked, and I pray through the tears,
That the trumpet will sound and erase these years.

Verse 6
Revelation tells me You’ll wipe every tear,
That death has no sting and the end is near.
But Lord, till that day when the sky splits in two,
I’ll be hunting with hope, still hunting for you.

Chorus (stronger)
So Jesus, hold my boy tonight,
Keep him close in Your arms so tight.
I’ll keep walking this broken land,
Till I see him again where the angels stand.
From Cypress to Salado, to skies brand new,
I once hunted with you—now my heart hunts for you.

⸻

Bridge 2 (Prayer)
Oh Lord, You gave, and Lord, You take,
But this father’s heart can barely break.
Still I’ll trust Your promise, strong and true,
That my hunt will end when I’m home with You.

Final Chorus
And Jesus, hold my boy tonight,
Guide him safe in heaven’s light.
From Cypress to San Saba, I’ll follow Your hand,
Till we’re hunting again in the promised land.
From the fields of Texas to the throne of truth,
I once hunted with you—now my heart hunts for you.

Outro (Spoken/Softly Sung)
From Cypress roads to Salado streams,
You live on in my prayers, in my midnight dreams.
Till the Lord calls me home and makes all things new,
I once hunted with you… now my heart hunts for you.