[Verse 1]
He wasn’t perfect, Lord, I know
Had a heavy hand and a hard old road
Missed some birthdays, missed some calls
Still showed up when the house got small
He’d fix that screen door in the rain
Hands all cut and his boots in clay
Ain’t the picture in a storybook frame
But he gave what he knew in his way
[Pre-Chorus]
And I used to hold that hurt so tight
Like a stone in my pocket every night
But time got kinder, I got wise
Saw the man behind those tired eyes
[Chorus]
He was there, he was there
Through the hard and the bare
He was there, he was there
Yeah, I know he cared
He ain’t flawless, he ain’t gold
But he loved me in the only way he know
I forgive, I let it go
'Cause he was there
[Verse 2]
He taught me how to change a tire
How to keep on when the well runs dry
How to stand my ground with grace
And not let shame put me in my place
We didn’t say enough, that’s true
Some old wounds stayed black and blue
But I can see it clear as dawn
He stayed when so much else was gone
[Pre-Chorus]
And I used to wear that ache like proof
That love had to come out looking smooth
But real love can be rough around the edges
Still steady when it matters, still fearless
[Chorus]
He was there, he was there
Through the hard and the bare
He was there, he was there
Yeah, I know he cared
He ain’t flawless, he ain’t gold
But he loved me in the only way he know
I forgive, I let it go
'Cause he was there
[Bridge]
Now I can see the child in him
Trying to be a man with a shaky grip
He made mistakes, I made my peace
Put that old hurt down and let it leave
If love is a road, then ours was bent
Still it took me places I wouldn’t forget
So I’m saying thank you, taking my bow
For the man he was, for the man right now
[Chorus]
He was there, he was there
Through the hard and the bare
He was there, he was there
Yeah, I know he cared
He ain’t flawless, he ain’t gold
But he loved me in the only way he know
I forgive, I let it go
'Cause he was there
[Outro]
He was there
And I loved him still
He was there
And I always will