RIGHT THERE ALL ALONG

Songtext

[Intro — spoken, low and intimate] Funny how time'll show you what you were too blind to see. You weren't asking me for anything. You were just asking me to let you know me. And I didn't. [Verse 1] You were knocking at a door I barely opened, I was fighting wars I never talked about. You kept trying just to get a little closer, I kept finding every reason to shut you out. You weren't chasing what I had or what I could give you, Never had some hidden reason to hold on. You were trying to see the good somewhere inside me, While I was running with the wrong. [Pre-Chorus] I can't go back and give you all those wasted years, Can't change the roads I chose to disappear. But I hear every word you're saying now, And maybe I can finally meet you here. [Chorus] You were right there all along, While I was busy getting everything wrong. You never asked me for forever, You just wanted something honest, And I couldn't even give you that back then. So I ain't gonna promise you the moon tonight, I ain't gonna rush what might finally be right. If you're willing, I'll take it slow, Let the truth decide where this thing goes. Maybe what I couldn't see back then Was right there all along. [Verse 2] I appreciate you seeing more than my mistakes, And believing a man can choose a better road. 'Cause I've carried enough yesterday behind me To know some things ain't worth the weight you hold. And hearing you say you still would like to know me, After all the time I let slip through my hands, Makes me want to show you instead of only telling you I'm trying to be a better man. [Pre-Chorus] No, I don't wanna force a feeling into place, Or make big promises just because you're giving me some grace. Let's leave tomorrow where tomorrow belongs, And start with being real today. [Chorus] 'Cause you were right there all along, While I was busy getting everything wrong. You never asked me for forever, You just wanted something honest, And I couldn't even give you that back then. So I ain't gonna promise you the moon tonight, I ain't gonna rush what might finally be right. If you're willing, I'll take it slow, Let the truth decide where this thing goes. Maybe what I couldn't see back then Was right there all along. [Bridge — drums fall away, piano/guitar only] And if this only turns into two people Finally knowing who each other really are, That's still more than I gave you back then. But if somewhere between the talking, The laughing, And letting down these walls... Something grows— I won't run from it this time. [Final Chorus — full band, emotional lift] You were right there all along, While I was out there trying to find where I belonged. You never needed me to be perfect, You just needed me to be present, Maybe now I finally understand. No, I won't promise you forever tonight, But I'll promise when I'm here, I'll be here right. We can take it slow, Let the good Lord decide where this thing goes. And if life gives us the chance I missed back then... I won't waste it again. You were right there... Right there all along. [Outro — nearly whispered] No hidden intentions. No promises we can't keep. Just you... Just me... And this time, I'm listening.