The Porch Light

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Your coat is hanging by the kitchen door The rain keeps ticking on the windowpane I leave the porch light burning like before As if that little kindness could explain [Pre-Chorus] The kettle cools, the evening settles in I hear your old key turning in the wind [Chorus] If you come home by the river road I’ll be right here where the map bends slow There’s a chair by the stove, there’s a place at the table And a heart that still holds what it’s able If you come home, you don’t have to say Where you’ve been or why you stayed away Just set your bag down, let the night grow quiet I’ll make room for you beside me [Verse 2] The apple tree has shed its leaves again Your mother’s blue cup waits beside the sink I found the note you tucked inside my book The one that said, “Don’t let the hard days win” [Pre-Chorus] I keep those words where I can see them clear They make the long road feel a little near [Chorus] If you come home by the river road I’ll be right here where the map bends slow There’s a chair by the stove, there’s a place at the table And a heart that still holds what it’s able If you come home, you don’t have to say Where you’ve been or why you stayed away Just set your bag down, let the night grow quiet I’ll make room for you beside me [Bridge] And if the years have changed your face If you’ve forgotten this old place I’ll know you by the way you pause Before you knock, before you call [Final Chorus] If you come home by the river road I’ll be right here where the map bends slow There’s a chair by the stove, there’s a place at the table And a heart that still holds what it’s able If you come home, you don’t have to say Where you’ve been or why you stayed away Just set your bag down, let the night grow quiet I’ll make room for you beside me I’ll make room for you beside me [Outro] The porch light’s on, the kettle’s warm Come in from the rain