[Intro] Dust on the bumper, red clay on my boots Mama said, “Turn around,” but I had something to prove [Verse 1] I left with a paper map folded in the glove box Two nickels, one promise, and a heart that wouldn’t stop Passed the old feed store, crossed the county line Chased a paycheck west till I forgot what was mine Your picture stayed tucked by the radio dial I’d call every Sunday, pretend I was fine But every backroad sign with our hometown name Pulled me closer than the highway ever could explain [Pre-Chorus] Now the porch light’s burning through the midnight blue I got one more mile and a debt to you Hands on the wheel, let the whole world wait I’m coming back different, but I’m coming back straight [Chorus] It’s a long way home, but I’m taking it slow Where the blacktop bends and the tall grass grows If the tires wear thin, if the night runs cold I’ll keep that little porch light in my soul Long way home, yeah, long way home Every mile I lost is a mile I own When I see your face by the garden gate I’ll know every wrong turn got me to the right place [Verse 2] There’s a dent in the door from a summer storm A coffee cup waiting where you left it warm Dad’s old banjo got a string pulled loose Still sounds like Sunday when I pick those blues I learned some hard lessons in a borrowed town How a man can get rich and still feel broke down So I traded bright promises for a road I could trust And followed the dust till it turned into us [Pre-Chorus] Now the porch light’s burning through the midnight blue I got one more mile and a debt to you Hands on the wheel, let the whole world wait I’m coming back different, but I’m coming back straight [Chorus] It’s a long way home, but I’m taking it slow Where the blacktop bends and the tall grass grows If the tires wear thin, if the night runs cold I’ll keep that little porch light in my soul Long way home, yeah, long way home Every mile I lost is a mile I own When I see your face by the garden gate I’ll know every wrong turn got me to the right place [Bridge] No parade, no silver line Just your hand finding mine All the miles, all the years Wash away when you pull me near [Final Chorus] It’s a long way home, but I’m taking it slow Where the blacktop bends and the tall grass grows If the tires wear thin, if the night runs cold I’ll keep that little porch light in my soul Long way home, yeah, long way home Every mile I lost is a mile I own When I see your face by the garden gate I’ll know every wrong turn got me to the right place [Outro] Long way home I’m right where I belong Long way home
