Original song · Recording
Come Sunshine Or Rain
A tribute to Roy Gene “Papa” Barton, and to the power of being there for the people we love.
Listen to this recording
The meaning behind the music
Behind the song
"Come Sunshine or Rain" was written in honor of my grandfather, Roy Gene "Papa" Barton, a man who taught our family that the greatest gift you can give is simply showing up.
He worked hard, loved deeply, played guitar, filled the bleachers, and made every moment count. His legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and in the lessons he left behind.
This song is our way of saying thank you.
Words, people, and production
Lyrics & credits
Verse 1
He wore out two time clocks, working day and night Making sure his family was always getting by Dependable as sunrise, a rock when things got hard He'd carry all the weight but leave the stress out in the yard Yeah, he gave us everything he had to give And he showed us how a man should live.
Chorus
I sat front row at his funeral on a quiet, tearful morn' Saying goodbye to the greatest man since the day that I was born And I swore right then and there, as the choir began to sing I ain't never gonna miss another one of my kids games ' Cause if he were still here, he’d be front row shouting out their names Yeah, I'm showing up for my boys, the way he showed up for me Come sunshine or rain
Verse 2
I can still hear the strum of his old six-string guitar, And the roar of the dirt track races underneath the stars He had tomatoes in the garden, old Westerns on TV, But the center of his whole world was always his family. He’d trade a morning tee-time on the local eighteen holes, Just to build a Lego castle with his grandkids at home.
Verse 3
We’d gather 'round the kitchen table, dealing late-night poker hands While he spun us Navy stories from his time in foreign lands I can still see those great-grandsons, making memories so sweet Stumbling 'round with his old cowboy boots on their little feet He dealt out love and wisdom with the turning of a card Leaving every cherished memory anchored in my heart
Bridge
He didn't need his name carved deep in stone His legacy is in the love that he always showed A hard-working man who knew what mattered most In every little hand I hold, every prayer I pray. I hear him telling me, “Don’t let the moments slip away”
Outro
There's country music playing on the radio Bleacher seats filling up, getting ready for the game I'm sitting in the front row now, Papa, just like you’d do Cheering on your great-grandsons and thinking about you I know you’re watching from above And I hope I’m making you proud Come sunshine or rain
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