[Which Way Is Home] [ Verse 1 ] Tuesday evening and the light is growing thin Packing up the corners where my childhood used to live Cardboard boxes stacked against the bedroom wall Sorted through the closet, emptied out the hall Staring at the last one sitting open on the floor I can’t bring myself to tape it, can't walk out the door The tape gun’s in my hand but the plastic won’t pull free While shadows of the posters look like ghosts of who I’ll be [ Chorus 1 ] The smell of sawdust, motor oil, an oil-stained rag Reminds me of the safety in the life that I have had But growth requires the courage to leave the things I know Even when my heavy heart is begging not to go I’ve got to find the person I’m supposed to be alone [ Verse 2 ] Small town is predictable, it’s quiet and it’s kind Where everyone knows my name and what I’ve left behind A part of me is desperate just to keep things as they are To stay within the lines and never drive too far But there’s a burning in my chest that says if I don’t leave I’ll never know the weight of what I could achieve The sun is going down and the car is nearly packed I’m looking for a reason to decide on turning back [ Chorus 2 ] The smell of sawdust, motor oil, an oil-stained rag Reminds me of the safety in the life that I have had But growth requires the courage to leave the things I know Even when my heavy heart is begging not to go I’ve got to find the person I’m supposed to be alone [ Bridge ] Dad walked in the bedroom, wiping grease from off his palms He didn't have the words to keep me safe from any harm He handed me a wooden box, small and heavy in my hand My grandfather’s brass compass, dented from the land The glass is scratched and clouded, the hinge is slightly loose He looked at me and whispered, 'Let it serve its only use' He said, 'So you don’t forget which way is home' The heaviest weight I’ve ever felt is finally known [ Final Chorus ] Passed the faded green sign on Route 9 As the sun begins to rise upon this life that's mine The smell of sawdust, motor oil, an oil-stained rag Is the only piece of yesterday I’m carrying in my bag Growth requires the courage to leave the things I know Even when my heavy heart is begging not to go I’m finally finding out who I’m supposed to be alone [ Outro ] The dented brass compass on my dashboard now The city’s on the horizon, I’m terrified of how The needle points to North while I’m heading for the coast Leaving was the only way to find what matters most Yeah, I finally know which way is home I finally know which way is home
