Packing up the dreams, God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say, "Never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands, we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

With the faith and love, God's given, yeah
Oh springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show, yes

But we'll keep you close (so close, so close) as always
It won't even seem you've gone (you are gone)
'Cause our hearts, in big an' small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong (so strong, so strong)
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say, "Never"
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands, we know, yeah
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

Oh, to live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say, "Never"
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends

And friends are friends forever
A lifetime's not too long
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And friends are friends forever
Never say, never say, "Never"
In the Father's hands we know
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends