[Verse 1]
You said, "Be ready, kid
Friday, seven, I’ll be there"
New cleats by the front door
I kept checking that old stair
Mom kept stirring cold spaghetti
Clock kept dragging through the night
Ref blew the whistle, teams lined up
Your name never hit my sight
[Chorus]
Empty seat in the stands
Where a father’s supposed to stand
All I had was my own two hands
And a jersey with the wrong last name
You taught me how to miss, not how to be a man
I grew up waving at an empty seat in the stands
[Verse 2]
Teacher said, "Bring in your hero
For show-and-tell next week"
I brought a picture of a stranger
Half your smile, half your cheek
Kids held up their faded posters
I held up a folded frame
Trying not to shake so bad
When I had to say your name
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
One day I’ll have a boy
Who waits by some front door
I’ll be early in the driveway
Boots already on the floor
I’ll sit where you left silence
Clap loud till my hands turn red
Give him all the words
You kept locked inside your head
[Chorus]