Front Porch Rules

Lyrics

[Verse 1] You count my steps at the door Ask who I’m with and what for Lunchbox check, phone face down You want my feet on solid ground If I’m late, you want a name If I’m sad, you ask the same “Tell the truth, look me in the eye” You don’t let a detail slide [Pre-Chorus] I roll my eyes, then I come back ’Cause your love is hard like that Every lock on every drawer Means you’re guarding something more [Chorus] Strict hands, soft heart You held me from the start Strict hands, soft heart You never let me fall apart I hate it, then I see You were making room for me Strict hands, soft heart That’s what you are (what you are) [Verse 2] No boys on the front porch rail No “be right back” and no jail Curfew set like the moon If I test you, I find out soon You read the room before I speak You know my cracks, you know my streak Made me fold up every shirt Made me learn how not to hurt [Pre-Chorus] I slam the door, then I look back ’Cause your love is hard like that Every “no” that cut me deep Kept me somewhere safe to keep [Chorus] Strict hands, soft heart You held me from the start Strict hands, soft heart You never let me fall apart I hate it, then I see You were making room for me Strict hands, soft heart That’s what you are (what you are) [Bridge] One day I’ll move through the world With your old rules in my bones I’ll hear your voice in my mouth When I’m far away from home And if I have a child I might say the same hard lines Not to break them, not to scare Just to keep them from the fire [Chorus] Strict hands, soft heart You held me from the start Strict hands, soft heart You never let me fall apart I hate it, then I see You were making room for me Strict hands, soft heart That’s what you are (what you are)