[Verse 1]
Tiny cups on a blanket
Plastic crowns in their hair
Jasmin pours me cold tap water
Like it's the finest anywhere
Ariel in her crooked tutu
Dancing circles ’round my chair
They say, “Daddy, sit up straighter
Royal guests are almost here”
[Chorus]
From teacups to tail lights
From crayons to car keys
From holding their bikes in the driveway
To watching them chase their dreams
I blinked and the days just scattered
Like petals in a July breeze
From teacups to tail lights
They’re driving away from me
[Verse 2]
Now it’s caps and gowns on the counter
Suitcases by the door
Jasmin’s got maps on her phone screen
Ariel’s ring on the kitchen drawer
They’re talking towns I’ve never heard of
Busy plans I can’t quite see
I just top off their travel mugs
Hide the shake in my “go be free”
[Chorus]
From teacups to tail lights
From crayons to car keys
From holding their bikes in the driveway
To watching them chase their dreams
I blinked and the days just scattered
Like petals in a July breeze
From teacups to tail lights
They’re driving away from me
[Bridge]
But every road they’re riding
Leads back to this old lane
There’s a porch light and a spare room
If they need to come home again
I’ll keep that blanket in the closet
Stained with juice and make-believe
’Cause I’m still their dad forever
Even when they don’t need me
[Chorus]
From teacups to tail lights
From crayons to car keys
From holding their bikes in the driveway
To watching them chase their dreams
I blinked and the days just scattered
Like petals in a July breeze
From teacups to tail lights
They’re driving away from me
[Outro]
So I wave at those tail lights
Whisper, “Girls, go and be”
Then I thank God for the teacups
They once poured just for me