2026 Competition Entry:
I Gave You Tomorrow by John E Ruffle
- Submitted:
- 5 Comments
Lyrics
I GAVE YOU TOMORROW by John E Ruffle
pre-chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.1
I told my story, my soul laid bare,
As you looked straight through me,
In your eyes was I even there?
No love, no compassion
Could break through your wall,
Dreams, crumbling as ashes, as my empty soul falls.
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.2
Your closet is empty,
Shadows silent and bare,
Our stove holding cold embers,
Of the warmth we once shared.
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.3
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
No reasons you gave, you had nothing to say.
In the depth of the night, I cry out in prayer,
I’m asking my God, do you still care?
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.4
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Yet I’ve hope for my future
As I reach out in prayer,
In the stillness and silence,
I know God really still cares.
extro
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
pre-chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.1
I told my story, my soul laid bare,
As you looked straight through me,
In your eyes was I even there?
No love, no compassion
Could break through your wall,
Dreams, crumbling as ashes, as my empty soul falls.
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.2
Your closet is empty,
Shadows silent and bare,
Our stove holding cold embers,
Of the warmth we once shared.
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.3
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
No reasons you gave, you had nothing to say.
In the depth of the night, I cry out in prayer,
I’m asking my God, do you still care?
chorus
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
v.4
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Yet I’ve hope for my future
As I reach out in prayer,
In the stillness and silence,
I know God really still cares.
extro
I gave you tomorrow, but you took today,
Future dreams, it wasn’t meant to end this way.
Author
Bio
From the ruins of post-war London to the communal ‘Jesus Movement’ of 1970s California, my life has been a long journey toward home. I’ve been a student rebel, a hippie, and a ‘Jesus Freak,’ ultimately finding a resting place within the rich depth of the Catholic Church.
At 74, I live in Birmingham, where I spend my time writing lyrics, mentoring my young son’s musical growth, and supporting emerging talent. Older and (hopefully!) wiser, I’m grateful for a life defined by spiritual revival and a faith that continues to refresh me daily.
At 74, I live in Birmingham, where I spend my time writing lyrics, mentoring my young son’s musical growth, and supporting emerging talent. Older and (hopefully!) wiser, I’m grateful for a life defined by spiritual revival and a faith that continues to refresh me daily.
Leave a comment
When are we getting the feedback and results from the lyrics only submissions please? I hope they’ve not fallen into s black hole!
Very relatable lyrics I think. wishing you luck
Thank you so much, Catherine! I’m enjoying your tracks too!
I am intrigued about the back story to these lyrics. They strike chords (forgive the pun) in my own memory and story.
Thank you for asking. Goes way back to my youth when I was living off-grid in an idyllic wood cabin in the northern California redwood forests. Came back from tree cutting one lunchtime only to find that “she” was gone without a trace.. no note, no anything.. “I was alone, this bird had flown” (to quote John and Paul!)