Story Behind The Song

I was sitting in my room and playing around on guitar and this song formed in my head. I liked how upbeat it was and that it had a good message about staying up and happy no matter what.

Song Description

In this bluegrassy/country song, Jimmy's mom tells him to not ever let anything get him down because his smile is so infectious it makes other people happy. She watches him grow up and in her dying words she tells him that he always made her smile and to keep shining his light on the world.

Lyrics

Jimmy?s daddy was a drifter
a good man enough but he had to leave
Jimmy?s mama made her living
At a diner called Billy Dean?s
Jimmy?s at the counter
Watching her serve and clean
And some folks were good to her
But some were mean

She?d say to Jimmy ?You?re my Bright Eyes
Don?t you let this world get you down
You?re a good boy and people shine
When they see you smile
You?re a blessing to me
Don?t let no one take away the light in your eyes
Bright Eyes

His mama said ?See ya later,?
Jimmy gave her a kiss, said he?d miss her
She said don?t be a stranger
I?ll be lonesome when you?re gone
You?ve grown up so fast now
And the road ahead is long
I?ll hold you my heart, child
Like a sweet ol? song?

Letters and calls and Christmases
Years go by and now it?s as if time stood still
She?s looking at him like a memory
Remembering how it used to be when he was still a child
And she gives him that old smile

She says, Oh my Bright Eyes
Don?t you let this world get you down
You?re a good man and people shine
When they see you smile
I?m not long for this world
But it?s been a blessing every day
And no one could take that away
Bright Eyes
Give me one last look before I say goodbye
To my Bright Eyes, Oh Bright Eyes
Shine your light on the world
Shine on Bright Eyes