[INTRO — instrumental, warm keys, round bass, swinging drums] [VERSE 1 — conversational flow, unhurried] He called me Saturday morning with the camera on (uh) Bathroom light, little mustache like a caterpillar yawned Dad, it's time — fourteen, and the voice just dropped And I'm three states over in a kitchen, feeling robbed But okay — okay — we gon' do this thing remote Prop the phone against the mirror like a little boat I walk him through it — hot water first, let it steam Little circles with the gel — not too much, that's a meme Amount — with the grain, son, always with the grain Short strokes, rinse the blade, don't you rush the lane Under the nose — careful — yeah, you feel that pull That's the same pull every man since time's been full [VERSE 2 — faster flow, painting pictures] He nicked his chin, little dot of red appears I said welcome to the club, we all been there for years Showed him my own scar from '94, he laughed Said his grandpa had one too — that's the family craft Passing down the small stuff while the miles do what they do Divorce took the Tuesdays but it never took the tools I can teach him through a window, I can reach him through the wire Every Saturday morning we stoke a little fire Next week it's the tie knot, week after the drive Piece by piece, call by call, keeping fatherhood alive [HOOK — melodic, warm] First shave, first shave Three states over and I'm right there With the grain, boy, take it slow That's about as much of life as I know (first shave) [BRIDGE — drums pull back, keys only, close voice] He held the phone up close and said do I look okay And I lied and said perfect — 'cause the truth is on its way The truth is: son, you look like becoming And I get to watch it happen — that's something Even from three states away Especially from three states away [VERSE 3 — flow opens up, resolve] Sunday he sent a photo, all cleaned up for church Smooth jaw, little smile, standing in his first Real shirt with the buttons done right to the top Caption: did the knot myself — and my heart just stopped In the good way — in the growing way Distance is a thief but it can't take everything away Some things travel through the wire just fine Hot water, with the grain, and a little bit of time [HOOK — soft, voice worn] First shave, first shave Three states over and I'm right there With the grain, boy, take it slow That's about as much of life as I know [OUTRO — keys and bass ride out] (first shave) Did the knot myself (with the grain)
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