[Verse 1] There are Legos in the hallway. Shoes thrown by the door. Somebody left the TV on... I've told 'em twice before. One is running through the kitchen. One is laughing way too loud. And I hear myself start yelling... "Boys... Knock it out." Then everything gets quiet. Yeah... That's what I wanted, right? So why the hell does silence Feel so wrong tonight? [Chorus] I'm so busy getting you ready for the world... I forget you ain't ready for it yet. Teaching you to take the hits Before you've even taken one... Preparing you for things you haven't met. I know someday you'll need to be strong. God knows this world can turn so cold. But the world's got plenty of time To make you grow up... I don't have to do it Before you grow. [Verse 2] The Marines taught me not to show it. Lock it down and carry on. And that armor served me well once... Hell, it carried me this far. Then you two came into my life And taught me how to feel again. I know people don't play fair. I know good men can get scarred. Maybe that's why I ride you. Maybe that's why I'm so hard. But maybe you don't need my armor... Maybe I can stand between you And the world A little longer. [Refrain] 'Cause the world's got plenty of time To make you grow up... I don't have to do it Before you grow. [Bridge] One day... You won't call, "Dad, come look at this." There won't be toys on the floor. There won't be cartoons playing. There won't be little shoes By the door. One day this house gets quiet. Really quiet. And I'd give damn near anything To hear you running Down that hallway again. [Build] So leave the Legos where they are tonight. Leave the damn TV on. Laugh a little louder. Stay up a little long. I'll still teach you right from wrong. I'll still teach you how to stand. But you don't have to be tough tonight... You've got plenty of time To be a man. [Final Chorus] I was so busy getting you ready for the world... I forgot you ain't ready for it yet. You don't need to take the hits Before you've even taken one. You don't need to carry What you haven't met. And someday... Yeah, you'll need to be strong. God knows this world can turn so cold. But I can teach you how to be men Without making you grow up now. The world has plenty of time To make you older. Tonight... Make a mess. Make some noise. Just be my boys... Before you grow. [Outro] I thought being your dad Meant teaching you How to face the world. Maybe sometimes... It means standing between you And the world... Just a little longer. And when the day finally comes That I can't stand there anymore... I hope you know I never needed you to be perfect. I just wanted you to be good men. And whoever you become... I'll be proud To call you my sons.
