(Verse 1)
Alarm clock ringing before the sun
Another long day, but the race ain’t won
Hair tied up, coffee in my hand
Walking in praying I got the strength again
Tiny backpacks lined by the wall
One starts laughing, one starts to bawl
Paint on my jeans, glitter in my hair
Somehow those little voices keep me there
(Pre-Chorus)
Yeah it’s chaos, crayons, tears and glue
But those little hearts count on you
(Chorus)
So I breathe in, smile wide
Even on the days I wanna cry
Little hands reaching up for mine
Makes the hard days feel alright
Yeah I’m tired, but I’m strong
Dancing through another sing-along
They may never know what I do
But I’m changing little lives before noon
One hug at a time
That’s how I survive
(Verse 2)
Snack time messes and storybook songs
Trying my best when the day feels long
“Can you tie my shoe?” “Can you look at me?”
Some days it feels like they all need me
And maybe I needed them too
Those tiny smiles pull me through
When the world gets heavy in my chest
Their “I love you” hits me the best
(Pre-Chorus)
Yeah the paycheck ain’t always fair
But those babies know I care
(Chorus)
So I breathe in, smile wide
Even on the days I wanna cry
Little hands reaching up for mine
Makes the hard days feel alright
Yeah I’m tired, but I’m strong
Dancing through another sing-along
They may never know what I do
But I’m changing little lives before noon
One hug at a time
That’s how I survive
(Bridge)
Someday they’ll grow up tall
Won’t remember every day at all
But maybe they’ll remember safe arms
A soft voice keeping them calm
And maybe that’s enough for me
To keep showing up faithfully
(Final Chorus)
So I breathe in, hold on tight
Making it through another busy night
Sticky fingerprints on my soul
But loving them makes me whole
Yeah this job can wear me down
But I still show up somehow
Cause every child deserves somebody true
And maybe that somebody’s you
One hug at a time
That’s how we survive ✨
