[Verse 1]
He’s up before the sunrise
And slide on his steel toe boots
Coffee in a paper cup
He kisses those little fingers
At the screen door light
And swallows down the truth again
Before he says I have to go
[Pre-Chorus]
The clock chews him up
The road can steal the day
But when those small hands ask him how long will he be gone this time
He finds the words to say
[Chorus]
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
That’s the one lie that breaks his heart every time
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
After everyday runs out
He has to swallow his pride and say that same lie
[Verse 2]
He counts the oil-stained hours
With a wrench in his hand
Rain on the windshield
Mud on his boots by five
His boy drew a truck in crayon
His girl left stars on the wall
He stares at their picture on his phone every day
[Pre-Chorus]
The miles don’t care who’s waiting
The rain don’t clear the road
Still every time the phone lights up
He bears that same lie
[Chorus]
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
That’s the one lie that breaks his heart every time
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
After everyday runs out
He has to swallow his pride and say that same lie
[Bridge]
And if his voice goes tired
And the night turns mean
He sees those little faces
In the cracks between the dreams
He don’t need a speech
He don’t need a reason why
Just one more promise for the hallway
As he walks inside
[Final Chorus]
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
That’s the one lie that breaks his heart every time
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
After everyday runs out
He has to swallow his pride and say that same lie
And if he’s late again
They know it’s true
I won’t be gone long this time
I won’t be gone long this time
