When Daddy’s Not Home

[Verse 1]
Sun’s goin’ down on this little blue house
You’re kickin’ your feet in that hand-me-down blouse
Mama’s got flour on her tired old hands
Rockin’ you slow while she warms up the pan
[Chorus]
When Daddy’s not home, he’s thinkin’ ‘bout you (ohh)
Countin’ those miles ‘til he walks through
Every long road, every late-night phone
Is so you won’t ever feel alone
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
[Verse 2]
Boots on the porch but his truck’s far away
Clock above the sink says the same old day
Mama hums soft while you grab her hair tight
Says, “Your daddy’s chasin’ us a better life”
[Chorus]
When Daddy’s not home, he’s thinkin’ ‘bout you (yeah)
Countin’ those miles ‘til he walks through
Every hard hat, every break of dawn
Is so your little world keeps rollin’ on
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
[Bridge]
One day you’ll stand in those grown-up jeans
Ask why he missed a few Little League dreams
Mama will smile, say, “Son, don’t you see?
He was out there workin’ for you and me”
[Chorus]
When Daddy’s not home, he’s thinkin’ ‘bout you
Countin’ those miles ‘til he walks through
Every rough day that he walks alone
Is so your heart always has a home
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone
[Outro]
So close your eyes, little cowboy, sleep on
Daddy’s in your corner all night long
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone (mm)
Daddy still loves you when he’s gone

country, Gentle western ballad with mariachi flavor: nylon-string guitar and soft strums, warm male vocals up close, light guitarrón bass and brushes on snare, soft trumpets answering the vocal in the chorus. Verses stay intimate and quiet; chorus swells with harmony and a small choir feel, then pull back to a lullaby hush on the outro., mariachi