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 that God's given   Springing from the hope we know   We will pray the joy you'll live in   Is the strength that now you show      But 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      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