Leave the Porch Light Burning

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Your old screen door still leans to the left Dad’s work boots wait by the mat I stood at the end of the gravel drive With my duffel and my folded flag You came down the porch in your housecoat Bare feet on the boards we knew I had a hundred words in my throat But I only said, “I’m home to you” [Chorus] So leave the porch light burning Let the kettle start to sing I’ve carried miles of silence And I don’t need anything But your hand against my shoulder And the dog beside my chair I’m learning how to be here I’m learning I’m still there [Verse 2] The diner still has the cracked red booth Where you stole my fries at sixteen The waitress asked if I wanted the usual You smiled like nothing had changed between At night I wake before the dawn comes Counting the boards above my bed You don’t ask me to explain it You just sit close till the fear lets go again [Chorus] So leave the porch light burning Let the kettle start to sing I’ve carried miles of silence And I don’t need anything But your hand against my shoulder And the dog beside my chair I’m learning how to be here I’m learning I’m still there [Bridge] There’s a place at the table There’s a key on the hook There’s a life in the small things I forgot how to look If my hands still shake some mornings If I’m slow to say what’s true Keep the coffee warm beside me I’ll keep coming back to you [Final Chorus] Leave the porch light burning Let the kettle start to sing I’ve carried miles of silence But I can set them down with you With your hand against my shoulder And the dog asleep right there I’m learning how to be here And I’m grateful you still care [Outro] Your old screen door leans to the left And tonight, I’m staying here