If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks

The Dance - Garth Brooks

113 - Garth Brooks - Learning To Live Again

210 - Garth Brooks - What Shes Doing Now

Garth Brooks - Unanswered Prayers

Goin, Goin, Gone - Luke Combs (Edited)

Ballad of Big Dave

For everyone who’s walked with the Black Dog — and for those who stayed beside them.

There are songs that try to fix you.
This isn’t one of them.

“Don’t Tell Me to Smile” is a quiet anthem for the days when breathing feels like defiance.
A raw, unpolished truth wrapped in acoustic strings and the kind of voice that doesn’t sing to save — it sings to stay.

It doesn’t offer empty promises.
It doesn’t chase the shadows away.
It simply says:

“I see you. I’m here. And I’m not leaving.”

Because sometimes, survival isn’t loud.
Sometimes, hope is just a presence in the dark —
and a reminder that you’re still human.

This song is that reminder.

Lyrics

[Verse 1]  
There’s a shadow at my doorway,  
Doesn’t bark, but it won’t leave.  
It’s got teeth made out of memories,  
And it whispers when I breathe.

Don’t tell me “look on the bright side”,  
Don’t say “it’s just a phase”.  
I’m walking with a weight you can’t see,  
Through a hundred silent days.

[Chorus]  
But you can sit with me in the darkness,  
You can stay when I don’t speak.  
You don’t have to chase the shadows,  
Just be here when I feel weak.  
Don’t throw me empty answers,  
Don’t try to fix my mind...  
Just remind me I’m still human,  
And you’re not the leaving kind.

[Verse 2]  
Don’t tell me to be grateful,  
Or that “others have it worse”.  
Pain is not a contest,  
And this heart don’t need a nurse.

I don’t need your sunshine speeches,  
Or a map out of my head.  
Sometimes all I’m asking for,  
Is company with the dread.

[Chorus]  
So just sit with me in the darkness,  
Let the silence say enough.  
When the black dog lays beside me,  
It’s your presence that feels tough.  
Don’t promise me tomorrow,  
Don’t say “this too shall pass”…  
Just hold the line beside me,  
‘Til the shadows lift at last.

[Bridge]  
There’s no cure in conversation,  
No magic words to set me free.  
But knowing you won’t vanish,  
That’s what keeps a hold of me.

[Final Chorus]  
So sit with me in the darkness,  
You don’t need to bring the light.  
Just be the hand I know is there,  
When I’m too tired to fight.  
Don’t tell me to be stronger,  
Don’t tell me how to feel…  
Just remind me I’m still breathing,  
And that you’re real.

[Outro]  
Yeah, remind me I’m still breathing…  
And that you’re real.

Don't tell me to Smile

The Thunder Rolls- Garth Brooks lyrics

Rodeo - Garth Brooks

She’s Every Women - Garth Brooks

She’s Every Women - Garth Brooks

Holt

Related tracks