Now I Know

Verse 1
He’d talk my ear off every Sunday drive,
Same old stories, same old lines,
Said, “Boy, you don’t know how fast this goes,”
I’d roll my eyes, stare out the window.
Every time he saw me walk in the room,
That smile hit like a mid-July moon,
He’d say, “Son, I’m proud of who you are,”
I just thought he talked too much, too hard.

Pre-Chorus
Didn’t hear the love in every word,
Didn’t feel the weight of what he felt,
I was young, I thought I knew the world,
Didn’t know a heart could love like that itself.

Chorus
Now he’s gone and the house is quiet,
Man, I miss those talks I tried to end,
I’d give anything to hear him ramble,
Just one more long lecture again.
Funny how time makes the truth come through,
Life has a way of showing you…
I didn’t know back then,
But now I know.

Verse 2
He’d brag on me to anyone who’d listen,
Gas station clerks, old friends, strangers passing,
Said my name like it was gold,
Like I hung the stars he’d always known.
I thought love was just a word folks say,
Didn’t know it keeps you up, night and day,
Didn’t know it hurts and heals the same,
Didn’t know how deep it stays.

Pre-Chorus
I tuned him out, I walked away,
Thought I had more time ahead,
Didn’t know those moments were slipping away,
Didn’t know I’d miss them when they’re dead and gone.

Chorus
Now he’s gone and the house is quiet,
Man, I miss those talks I tried to end,
I’d give anything to hear him ramble,
Just one more long lecture again.
Funny how time makes the truth come through,
Life has a way of showing you…
I didn’t know back then,
But now I know.

Bridge
Now I’ve got two little girls holding my hand,
Looking at me like I’m Superman,
Every smile feels like a miracle,
Every laugh hits me straight in the soul.
I catch myself saying the same old lines,
Talking too much, running out of time,
And it hits me like a runaway train…
I finally feel what he tried to explain.

Chorus
Now they’re my world, my heart wide open,
I’d do anything to keep them safe,
I see my dad in the words I’m saying,
In every prayer I whisper late.
Funny how love comes full circle too,
Now I finally understand the truth…
I didn’t know back then,
But now I know.

Outro
I’m sorry, Dad, I was wrong,
You were right all along,
I hear you now, yeah, every word you said…
And I’ll carry them with me till the end.

Country heartfelt, reflective vibe