Too Late This Time

[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

folk, Warm modern country ballad, male vocals. Gentle acoustic and brushed snare in the verse, steel guitar swells. Chorus widens with rich harmonies, piano padding, and a steady backbeat. Subtle organ and fiddle lift the bridge, then strip back to voice and guitar for the final line., country