Front Porch Mercy

[Verse 1] After all the hurt and all the pride You took the road past the county line I stood awhile where the gravel bends Watching daylight leave without a sound The screen door sighed The crickets stirred And night settled in like an old church hymn [Pre-Chorus] Winter laid frost on the mailbox post Ice found its way through every crack Still before bed I crossed that porch And pulled the little chain By the front door lamp [Chorus] I leave it on I leave it on For the road and rain I leave it on I leave it on I leave it on Not to call you back Just to keep it warm [Verse 2] Spring came early Down Willow Creek Kids chased bicycles Past the sycamores A young couple painted The Johnson place Yellow as sunrise White as Sunday shirts Life kept moving Like it always does And every evening I did what I could [Pre-Chorus] June brought moths To the porch rail light And soft warm wind Through the window screens Still before sleep I stepped outside And watched that circle glow Across the yard [Chorus] I leave it on I leave it on For the road and rain I leave it on I leave it on I leave it on Not to call you back Just to keep it warm [Bridge] Years have a way Of sanding grief Like river stones Beneath the flow What once felt sharp Becomes a thing You carry gently When nobody knows [Verse 3] If you passed by This old house tonight You would not find A man keeping score Just one small light Above one small porch Holding its place Against the dark And if somebody lost Found that road Maybe they'd see What mercy looks like [Final Chorus] Some lights are for Finding your way home Some lights are for The dark to know It does not own The road you cross Some lights stay lit For mercy, not loss I leave it on I leave it on Not to call you back Just to keep it warm