Leave the Porch Light On

Lyrics

[Verse 1] You left your blue mug by the window A thumbprint drying on the rim I found your note beneath the fruit bowl Three crooked lines, then nothing more from him The kettle clicked, the morning settled Dust turned slowly in the sun I read your words beside the table And felt the day begin before it had begun [Chorus] If you come back, leave the porch light on I’ll be awake when the long road’s gone No grand parade, no need to explain Just put your coat beside mine again If you come back, come as you are With tired hands and that borrowed car I’ll make some tea, you tell me where you’ve been And we’ll find the ordinary again [Verse 2] Your sister called around the weekend Asked if I’d heard from you at all I said the truth is mostly waiting And watching autumn climb the garden wall The basil’s gone, the books are boxed up Your old guitar still wears its case But I keep one chair beside the doorway For the shape of you to fill the empty space [Chorus] If you come back, leave the porch light on I’ll be awake when the long road’s gone No grand parade, no need to explain Just put your coat beside mine again If you come back, come as you are With tired hands and that borrowed car I’ll make some tea, you tell me where you’ve been And we’ll find the ordinary again [Bridge] Maybe home is not a promise Maybe home is what we mend A loose hinge, a borrowed hour A door that opens at the end [Final Chorus] If you come back, leave the porch light on I’ll be awake when the long road’s gone No grand parade, no need to explain Just put your coat beside mine again If you come back, come as you are No polished story, no disguise or charm I’ll make some tea, you tell me where you’ve been And we’ll find the ordinary again [Outro] The blue mug waits beside the window I leave the porch light on