[Verse 1]
You fixed that old screen door
With a dime and a prayer
Taught me how to hold my ground
And breathe the open air
Mud on your Sunday boots
Dust on your hands
You said, "Son, the same old soil
Can still make a man"
[Pre-Chorus]
You never kept me caged
You never clipped my sky
You gave me something solid
And a place to say goodbye
[Chorus]
Roots to stand on
Wings to fly
Roots to stand on
Wings to the sky
You held me close
Then let me go
Daddy, you made my heart both ways to grow
[Verse 2]
At the church potluck table
You'd bow your head slow
Pass that hot corn bread around
Like a seed you helped grow
You showed me how to listen
How to mend, not break
How a strong right hand can still
Be gentle for love's sake
[Pre-Chorus]
You never kept me caged
You never clipped my sky
You gave me something solid
And a place to say goodbye
[Chorus]
Roots to stand on
Wings to fly
Roots to stand on
Wings to the sky
You held me close
Then let me go
Daddy, you made my heart both ways to grow
[Bridge]
Now I hear you in the fiddle
In the creek and the pines
In the way that Mama hums
When the blue back-light shines
I still walk your old road
With my head held high
Half your lesson in my hands
Half your blessing in the sky
[Final Chorus]
Roots to stand on
Wings to fly
Roots to stand on
Wings to the sky
You held me close
Then let me go
Daddy, you made my heart both ways to grow
Roots to stand on
Wings to fly
(roots to stand on)
(wings to fly)
You gave me home
And you gave me more
Now I sing your name like a hymn on the porch