Called by Many Names

Chorus I call you Leonard when the day winds down Dad says Eugene, that hometown sound Your sister and childhood friends call you Gene Your Mama says “my colored child” when you’re wild Grandma Liz called you Little Genie for a while Grandad says, “That’s my first grandson,” with a smile Reye says father, our girls say dad, or baldy To the Marines you’re a brother, Semper Fi, standing proud. Verse 1 We met in the fall of twenty-fourteen Blended our lives, found our in-between Built our routines, stayed close and true Held on tight through all we knew We planned our future, dreams in view Believed in forever, me and you Chorus I call you Leonard when the day winds down Dad says Eugene, that hometown sound Your sister and childhood friends call you Gene Your Mama says “my colored child” when you’re wild Grandma Liz called you Little Genie for a while Grandad says, “That’s my first grandson,” with a smile Reye says father, our girls say dad, or baldy To the Marines you’re a brother, Semper Fi, standing proud. Verse 2 First flight summer twenty-fifteen skies Two years later married, started our lives Bought our house, got ready to take off Then came the words that shook us all The monster moved right in 2019 But you stood tall and never gave in Bridge God called you son; you chose His way You lead with love every single day Kind and faithful, principled too Blessed and favored—that’s you oooh Verse 3 A loyal friend—you don’t run away If someone’s hurting, you make a way You love your people, blood or not Never met a stranger, you give what you’ve got You teach our children how to stand tall By how you live, not just words at all Build / Pre-Chorus You don’t chase glory, you walk in grace You make room at every table, every place Strong when needed, gentle too No man left behind, that;s you. Final Chorus (strong beat) I call you Leonard when the day winds down Dad says Eugene, that hometown sound Our family knows just who you are Loved by God, our guiding star You are aunty Jo’s baby boy Outro You are a husband, a father, a son, and a brother An uncle, a cousin, a lifelong friend to others A Christian who loves Jesus true I’ll stand beside you till the end—I choose you By so many names, still my man I’d choose you again and again Chorus (Reprise / Ending) I call you Leonard when the day winds down Dad says Eugene, that hometown sound Your sister and childhood friends call you Gene Your Mama says “my colored child” when you’re wild Grandma Liz called you Little Genie for a while Grandad says, “That’s my first grandson,” with a smile Reye says father, our girls say dad, or baldy To the Marines you’re a brother, Semper Fi, standing proud. I love you, you're my man. I choose you again and again (play with the instruments and sounds and taper off to end)