"When The Kitchen Light Was On" Style: 50s slow waltz / early 60s folk-country. Key: G. Tempo: 84 BPM. Feel: Fingerpicked guitar + brushed drums + upright bass. [Verse 1] Screen door slammin' in the summer heat Mommas apron by the kitchen sink Daddy's boots by the door at a quarter to five Radio cracklin' low, keepin' time One-room schoolhouse, chalk dust in the air Sister's hand-me-down dress that we all had to share Mile to the schoolhouse, snow up to your knees But you didn't know you were poor, with that kind of peace When the kitchen light was on You knew where you belonged Bread was risin', stories told Supper table, hands to hold No big money, but the riches never gone Back when the kitchen light was on[Chorus] [Verse 2] Saturday mornin', tractors in a line Neighbors helpin' neighbors, workin' overtime Church on Sunday, best shirt pressed clean Mom sang in the choir like a queen Penny candy, wooden boat by the shore Didn't have much but we didn't need more Now the road is paved where the dirt used to be And the kids don't know how free we were to be free When the kitchen light was on You knew where you belonged Laughter risin' like that homemade bread Blessings said for the life we led No big money, but the love was strong Back when the kitchen light was on[Chorus] [Bridge - 50s doo-wop hums: ooo-ooo] Now the houses stand empty, paint is peelin' thin Porch swings quiet where the talk used to begin But close your eyes, you can still hear the song Of a generation that taught us how to belong [Last Chorus - softer, then lift] When the kitchen light was on Heaven felt a little closer than the dawn You can keep your fast lane, I'll take that slow road home Back to when the kitchen light was on Yeah back to when the kitchen light was on [Outro - hum out] (Ooo - when the light was on...) Chords for you (simple 50s progression): Verse: G - C - G - D / G - C - Am - D Chorus: C - D - G - Em / C - D - G
