Porch Light

Verse 1

Mom still keeps the key Underneath the flowerpot Dad still says the driveway cracks Are something he’ll get to when it’s not so hot

There’s a dent beside the doorway From when I was seventeen And pencil marks inside the pantry Where they used to measure me

My bedroom isn’t mine now There’s a treadmill by the bed But she still calls it Anna’s room Like I might move back in again

Chorus

They leave the porch light on for me Even when I say don’t wait up Even when I’m thirty miles away And swear I’m old enough There’s something about that little yellow light That makes the whole world small I can lose my way a hundred times And still know where I belong They leave the porch light on

Verse 2

Dad asks about my oil Mom sends leftovers home They both pretend they’re casual When they ask if I’m seeing anyone

The refrigerator’s crowded With pictures ten years old I’m missing three front teeth in one In another, Grandma’s still here

I used to hate those Sunday dinners Couldn’t wait to get away Funny what becomes important Once nobody makes you stay

Chorus

They leave the porch light on for me Even when I say don’t wait up Even when I only stay an hour And pretend that’s long enough There’s something about that little yellow light That makes the whole world small I can lose my way a hundred times And still know where I belong They leave the porch light on

Bridge

Someday somebody else will own this house Paint the kitchen, pull those pencil marks down And I’ll drive past slower than I should Trying to explain to someone Why a light in a window Can hurt so good

Final Chorus

So leave the porch light on for me I won’t tell you not to anymore I’ll pull into the driveway late And come walking through that door ‘Cause nothing stays forever And maybe that’s the point While there’s still somebody waiting I’m gonna follow that little light home

Leave the porch light on.