We Save a Place for You

Lyrics

[Intro] We still say your name when the table gets quiet [Verse 1] Marlon kept the corner store receipt Folded in his wallet, coffee stain and crease Said it proved we made it through that winter When the heat went out and nobody slept Keisha brought a casserole in a dish Her mama wrote her name beneath the lid We passed it down the block, took turns eating Saved the last piece for the one who missed [Gang Replies] We were there (we were there) You were ours (you were ours) [Chorus] If one of us calls, we come, even late Even with old hurt we still make a place You said, “Don’t let the young ones walk alone” So we wait by the steps till they all get home And when your chair stays empty at the door We tell the same stories, then we tell them once more [Verse 2] Your little brother wears your faded coat Too big in the sleeves, but he won’t let go He asked me if you knew we kept your promise I said, “You knew us better than we know” Last Sunday, your auntie set one extra plate Nobody touched it, nobody took it away We sat around till the tea went cold Trying not to count the words we couldn’t say [Gang Replies] We remember (we remember) Still right here (still right here) [Chorus] If one of us calls, we come, even late Even with old hurt we still make a place You said, “Don’t let the young ones walk alone” So we wait by the steps till they all get home And when your chair stays empty at the door We tell the same stories, then we tell them once more [Outro] Marlon still has that receipt Keisha still brings too much food Your brother still wears your coat And we still save a place for you