[Verse 1]

I was a little boy on a broken hip,

Leaning on crutches, small hands with a grip.

Out on that dirt road, the sun hanging low,

With Bandit beside me everywhere I’d go.

[Verse 2]

He saw some ducks cutting ‘cross the lane,

Took off running, never meant them pain.

Chased ‘em back safe to the water’s side,

With a wagging tail and a heart full of pride.

[Chorus]

But the world ain’t kind, and it cut me deep,

Took my innocence I couldn’t keep.

Two gunshots rang, and time stood still,

I watched Bandit fall on that hill.

Blood on the dirt, I’ll never forget—

That’s the day my heart learned regret.

[Verse 3]

That old man stepped out with a smoke-stained hand,

Eyes like stone, no soul to understand.

Didn’t see a boy, didn’t see my friend,

Just pulled the trigger and brought it to an end.

[Verse 4]

I dropped my crutches, fell to my knees,

Crying “Bandit, come back to me.”

I held his head as his breathing slowed,

Two red wounds, and the life I loved let go.

[Chorus]

Yeah, the world ain’t kind, and it cut me deep,

Took my innocence I couldn’t keep.

Two gunshots rang, and time stood still,

I watched Bandit fall on that hill.

Blood on the dirt, tears in my eyes,

That’s the day a piece of me died.

[Bridge]

Some scars heal, but some just stay,

Etched in a boy in the cruelest way.

Bandit’s love was pure and true,

And it broke my soul when the bullets flew.

[Chorus]

The world ain’t kind, and it cut me deep,

Took my innocence I couldn’t keep.

Two gunshots rang, and time stood still,

I watched Bandit fall on that hill.

Blood on the dirt, my heart torn wide,

That’s the day my childhood died.

[Outro]

I was just a boy with a broken stride,

But I grew up fast the day Bandit died.

© 2026 Thomas Bruggemann, Heartfelt Lyrics