[Verse 1]
You tied my shoes by the door
Held my tears and asked for more
Packed my lunch in a faded bag
Still showed up when the world got mad
You knew my silence by its shape
Knew the hurt I couldn't name
You made a home from a hard day
Then smiled and sent me on my way
[Pre-Chorus]
So let me say it while you're here
Loud enough, crystal clear
Every mile, every scar
I know exactly who you are
[Chorus]
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
Mother, you gave me love
Gave me love, gave me love
Hands like home, heart so wide
You were there my whole life
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
[Verse 2]
Saturday floors and secondhand clothes
Bent over bills you never showed
You gave me grace in the check-out line
Gave me strength when I lost mine
And when I ran with my head high
You still knew how to read my eyes
Every "I'm fine" you heard through
Was a door you knew to walk me through
[Pre-Chorus]
So let me say it while you're near
Soft and strong, year by year
Every fall, every climb
You were love that made me shine
[Chorus]
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
Mother, you gave me love
Gave me love, gave me love
Hands like home, heart so wide
You were there my whole life
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
[Bridge]
If I ever make it big
If I ever sing this loud
It's your name inside my breath
It's your pride inside this crowd
[Chorus]
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
Mother, you gave me love
Gave me love, gave me love
Hands like home, heart so wide
You were there my whole life
Mother, you held me up
Held me up, held me up
[Outro]
Hands like home
Heart so wide
Mother, you're my first alive