Salvation Song
The Avett Brothers Lyrics

If you take my heart
If you take my love and affection

Don't leave the smallest part
Don't take it for granted or return it half-heartedly

I've no need to live if you're to come up gone
My life would be meaningless without you

An as my life turns to a song
As my life unfolds through its ups and downs

And if and when I treat you wrong
And if I ever hurt you

No I never want to hurt our family
I don't want to cause any harm or damage to our relationship

And I would give up everything
I am willing to sacrifice anything for you

No this is not just about me
This is not a selfish desire or motive

And I don't know a plainer way to say it Babe
I don't know how else to express this to you, my love

And they will pay us all in fame
People may recognize and acknowledge us for our achievements

Though that is not why we came
However, we didn't pursue this for fame or recognition

And I know well and good that will not heal your soul
I am aware that fame or recognition won't fix any emotional or spiritual wounds you have

We came for salvation
We came for spiritual or emotional redemption

We came for family
We came to build and strengthen our relationships

We came for all that's good that's how we'll walk away
We came to pursue all things positive, and that's how we want to be known

We came to break the bad
We came to end or overcome negativity or hardships

We came to cheer the sad
We came to uplift those who are feeling down

We came to leave behind the world a better way
We came to make a positive impact on the world and its people

Now if I'm walkin' through the rain
If I have to face difficult or unpleasant situations

And I hear you call my name
And you're there to support and encourage me

I will break into a run without a pause
I will keep going forward with all my might

And if your love laughs at your dreams
And if others mock or belittle your aspirations

Well it's not as bad as it seems
It's not the end of the world, and we can still achieve our goals

Either way one of them has got to go
We can't let negativity or self-doubt hold us back from pursuing our dreams

And if you take of my soul
If you take care of my emotional and spiritual needs

You can still leave it whole
You can still help me feel complete and fulfilled

With the pieces of your own you leave behind
With your own emotional and spiritual resources and strengths

And if you were to come up clean
If you were to achieve your own goals and aspirations

And see you shine so bright in this world of woe
And witness you thrive and succeed despite the hardships in life

And they will pay us all in fame
And others may recognize and honor us for our accomplishments

But that is not why we came
But that was not the driving force behind our journey

And if it compromises truth then we will go
And if fame or recognition conflicts with our values and principles, we will walk away from it