One More Place At The Table

[INTRO — Warm upright piano, soft acoustic guitar, distant sleigh bells. Female alto, intimate and conversational.] I only set one extra place this year, Been counting down the days till he’d be here. The house got quiet when he went away, And Christmas hadn’t felt the same. [VERSE 1 — Gentle country-soul, warm female lead] Jacen brought the boxes down, I hung the lights around the house. Our boy was coming home from State, And I could hardly stand the wait. Two empty nesters learning how To make a home with less somehow. I bought his favorites, baked his pie, And checked the clock a hundred times. Then halfway through that afternoon, My telephone lit up the room. He said, “Hey, Mama, would you mind If I brought a friend of mine?” [PRE-CHORUS — Light strings rise] “His name is Shawn, he’s in my dorm, He’s got no place to go. His family’s not around this year, And I can’t leave him alone.” I said, “Of course, there’s plenty here, You know we’ve always got room.” Then I went and found another plate And wondered what he wasn’t telling me, too. [CHORUS — Warm, swelling country-soul with soft gospel harmonies] There’s always one more place at the table, One more chair beside the tree. If the world’s been cold and lonely, Come and find some warmth with me. You don’t have to share our last name, You don’t have to earn your way. Love can make a family In the most unexpected ways. And there’s always one more place, One more place at the table. [VERSE 2 — Intimate storytelling, playful warmth] They pulled up just past half past four, I nearly met them at the door. Phillip hugged me like he used to do, Then said, “Mom, this is Shawn. Shawn, this is you.” He laughed and said, “I mean, my mom,” And Shawn just smiled and played along. He shook my hand, said, “Ma’am, it’s nice To meet the woman who made that pie.” He helped my husband with the lights, Washed all the dishes Christmas night. Said grace before we passed the rolls, And laughed at stories Phillip told. But when my boy would catch his eye, That little smile he couldn’t hide, I knew there was a story there They weren’t quite ready yet to share. [PRE-CHORUS — Tender, knowing delivery] I saw their hands beneath the table, Saw the way they leaned in close. And I didn’t need a single word To know what mattered most. [CHORUS — Fuller instrumentation, gentle choir] There’s always one more place at the table, One more chair beside the tree. If the world’s been cold and lonely, Come and find some warmth with me. You don’t have to share our last name, You don’t have to earn your way. Love can make a family In the most unexpected ways. And there’s always one more place, One more place at the table. [BRIDGE — Music strips to piano and acoustic guitar. Tender, emotional female vocal.] The morning they were leaving, Their bags were by the door. Jacen checked the tires While I stood there on the porch. Phillip went to get his jacket, And I asked Shawn to stay. I slipped some money in his hand, Said, “For gas along the way.” He said, “Ma’am, I can’t take this.” I said, “Honey, yes, you can. And anytime you need a home, You know just where we stand.” He looked down at that folded cash, Then up at me again. Said, “Thanks, Mom,” without thinking, And his face went red right then. [BREAKDOWN — Piano only, almost spoken, voice trembling slightly] “Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnson, I didn’t mean to call you that.” I took his hand and smiled at him, And gently answered back… [FINAL CHORUS — Begins almost a cappella, builds into soaring gospel-soul] “Don’t say you’re sorry. You can call me Mom.” There’s always one more place at the table, One more heart beneath this roof. Sometimes family is the people Who make a little room for you. You don’t have to share our last name, You don’t have to ask to stay. There’s a stocking with your name on it When you come back Christmas Day. [OUTRO — Soft piano, acoustic guitar, gentle sleigh bells] Two boys heading down to Raleigh, One more Christmas come and gone. Jacen wrapped his arms around me As their taillights disappeared beyond the lawn. I’d set one extra place that Christmas, But God had other plans somehow. And there’s always one more place at the table… We just call him family now. [END — Piano resolves softly, bells fade.]