[Intro — Spoken, mature Southern male] He said, “How you doing?” I said, “Oh, I’m fine.” He slid that coffee over. Said, “Well, buddy, I got time.” [Verse 1] I picked a booth beside the window, Somewhere I could watch the rain. Had a pocket full of little things I didn’t know how to explain. He asked about the dog and Heather, Then he let the quiet sit. I kept waiting for a lecture— He never offered it. [Verse 2] I told him I’d been sleeping poorly, Said the house felt strange at night. How a man can sit beside his wife And keep his troubles out of sight. He set his cup down on the table, Said, “That sounds like quite a load.” And somehow that was all it took— The next few words just flowed. [Chorus] Coffee with somebody who listens, A chair where you can take your time. You don’t have to make it pretty, You can leave “I’m fine” behind. Let the waitress warm the coffee, Let the morning traffic roll. Sometimes being heard by somebody Helps you say what hurts your soul. A little room to tell the truth— That’s what that table offered me. Coffee with somebody who listens, Somebody willing just to be. [Verse 3] I told a story ’bout my younger days, Then laughed before I cried. He didn’t look down at his wrist Or turn his eyes aside. Said, “I don’t know all the answers.” I said, “Neither do I.” We watched a work truck splash the curb, Let a little time go by. [Chorus] Coffee with somebody who listens, A chair where you can take your time. You don’t have to make it pretty, You can leave “I’m fine” behind. Let the waitress warm the coffee, Let the morning traffic roll. Sometimes being heard by somebody Helps you say what hurts your soul. A little room to tell the truth— That’s what that table offered me. Coffee with somebody who listens, Somebody willing just to be. [Instrumental — Piano and steel guitar] [Bridge] I still had things to work through When we stepped outside that door. But he said, “Call me Thursday,” And I believed him, that was more Than another “We should get together” Said while walking toward a truck. I thanked God for that ordinary morning And a friend who’d shown up. [Final Chorus] Coffee with somebody who listens, A chair where you can take your time. You don’t have to make it pretty, You can leave “I’m fine” behind. Let the waitress warm the coffee, There’s another pot to brew. Next time someone says, “It’s nothing,” I might pull a chair up too. Give ’em room to tell the truth, Like somebody did for me. Coffee with somebody who listens— That’s the friend I’d like to be. [Outro — Spoken] Now, I can’t promise good advice. And this diner’s coffee’s questionable. But I can sit here a while. [Soft piano ending]
