I Won’t Be Home

[Verse 1]
Dear Mama, it’s me, I’m alright
They say the roads are buried white
The man on the radio sounded scared
Said, “Son, you best stay right there”
I wrapped my coat, thought ‘bout that drive
Your cornbread, the church at five
But the snow keeps licking at my window frame
And this year just won’t behave
[Chorus]
So I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
I won’t be walkin’ through that door
I won’t track in that red clay
On your clean swept kitchen floor
Hang my stocking by the oven
Like you always used to do
I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
But my heart’s sittin’ there with you
[Verse 2]
I got your box of candied yams
The ones you packed up, tin in hands
Your handwriting bowed on brown paper string
“Don’t open ‘til the choirs sing”
I touched your name, it shook me some
‘Cause I could hear you hummin’ along
To that old cracked record in the living room
Where the tree light burned ‘til noon
[Chorus]
I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
I won’t be sleepin’ on that couch
With the smoker on the back porch
And the dogs all barkin’ loud
Save a slice of Sunday chocolate
Like you always say you’ll do
I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
But my heart’s sittin’ there with you
[Bridge]
Tell Daddy I still wear his scarf
Smells like tobacco, oil, and barn
Tell my kid sister I kept her card
Folded in my shirt, right by my heart (mm-hmm)
If the power flickers, light that lamp
Say my name when you bow your head
I’ll be sayin’ grace over coffee steam
In this little room instead
[Chorus]
I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
I won’t be singin’ in that pew
But I’ll hum that old sweet carol
Like I’m standin’ next to you
Leave my chair there by the window
Like you always, always do
I won’t be home for Christmas, Mama
But I’m comin’ home
In every prayer you whisper
I’m comin’ home
Every time you miss me
I’m home there, right with you

country, Heartfelt 80s-style country ballad with male vocals, gentle brushed-kit shuffle and warm pedal steel swells. Clean Telecaster arpeggios and soft piano chords frame an intimate vocal; subtle fiddle answers the lines. Verses stay hushed and conversational, chorus widens with stacked harmonies and a rich, aching steel line. Tempo relaxed, leaving space for emotional phrasing and a teardrop-in-the-voice delivery., sad, heartfelt