[Verse 1]
Ten years old
Fishing pole
Granddad waiting by the truck
I said
"One more game"
He smiled
"Okay"
By the time I ran out
He'd given up
Saw his taillights down that road
Waved at dust instead of chrome
[Chorus]
Too late this time
Clock kept moving
I stayed behind
Thought that life
Would always let me change my mind
Every "later" I threw away
Got cashed in on some quiet day
Now every echo in my life
Says
"Son
You were too late this time"
[Verse 2]
Eighteen years
Mama's tears
I was packing for the state line
She said
"Sit a while
Tell me 'bout
All the dreams you're gonna go find"
I checked my watch
I checked my phone
She watched me walking out alone
[Chorus]
Too late this time
Clock kept moving
I stayed behind
Thought that life
Would always let me change my mind
Every "later" I threw away
Got cashed in on some quiet day
Now every echo in my life
Says
"Boy
You were too late this time"
[Bridge]
I had a ring
She had a dress
Picked out names we never used
I said
"Work comes first
Then the rest"
That was the day I really lost you
Now there's a porch light three doors down
But it ain't mine
And you ain't around (oh no)
[Verse 3]
Eighty years
Shaking hands
Nurse says
"Your son's on his way"
There's a clock
On the wall
Making sure I feel every change
I taste all the times I made 'em wait
Pray to God he won't be late
[Chorus]
Too late this time
Clock keeps moving
He’s behind
All my life
I thought I'd always get one more try
Every "later" I threw away
Comes back as a quiet ache
If he walks in through that door
I won't let him be too late this time
[Outro]
If you love 'em
Go on
Call
Don't let pride hang on the line
Every heartbeat
Every breath
Is just a chance to get there in time