The Last Sister Standing

Lyrics

[Verse 1] There's a house where the door was always open wide Where a voice on the phone could calm the rising tide Where the hurting found a place to rest And the broken leaned against a steady chest Born in Alabaster, Alabama clay Four sisters strong in every way [Chorus] Happy birthday, Carlene Eighty-five years of love and grace we've seen You're the keeper of the stories and the ties that hold You're the heartbeat of this family, worth more than gold Thank God for you, Carlene [Verse 2] Lois led the way, then Blondie close behind Then you came along, then Jessie — intertwined You'd laugh until the tears would fall And you'd answer every single call Now you carry what they left behind Their voices echo through your life [Chorus] Happy birthday, Carlene Eighty-five years of love and grace we've seen You're the keeper of the stories and the ties that hold You're the heartbeat of this family, worth more than gold Thank God for you, Carlene [Bridge] A Christmas Day you said "I do" William standing there with eyes on you Love that deep don't ever really end It just wraps around your heart again [Verse 3] You raised your children with a steady hand A son, a daughter, just the way you planned And every niece and nephew knew your door Would open up and always hold one more When I lost my mama, you held me through A piece of her still lives in you My favorite aunt — you'd laugh and say "You're my favorite niece" — our game we'd play But Lene, if I ever needed a second mother I always knew there'd never be another [Chorus] Happy birthday, Carlene Eighty-five years of love and grace we've seen You're the keeper of the stories and the ties that hold You're the heartbeat of this family, worth more than gold Thank God for you, Carlene [Outro] From your niece who loves you more than words can say Lene, you're my safe place Happy eighty-fifth birthday