Verse 1
Sun’s barely up on a Pennsylvania road,
Mama’s coffee’s cold, but she won’t let it go.
Dad’s in the driveway, hands in his jeans,
Says he’s proud of me, but I know what that means.
My duffel bag’s heavy, but not like my chest,
Got orders in paper, knots in my breath.
This town raised me right, gave me my name,
Now I’m learning real fast that leaving’s the pain.
Pre-Chorus
I’ve been counting down days like miles on a track,
Never thought I’d want time that I can’t get back.
Chorus
I’d give anything for one more lap around home,
One more night where I don’t feel alone.
Kiss my girl slow, tell her I’ll be okay,
Even if I don’t know how long I’ll be away.
Trade these boots for spikes, feel the cinder beneath,
Hear the crowd go quiet right before the release.
Yeah, I’m standing tall, but inside I’m torn,
I’m strong enough to leave, just not ready to be gone.
Verse 2
She’s leaning on my shoulder by the old school gate,
Says she’ll write me letters, says she’ll wait.
Her hands are shaking, but she don’t cry,
Just says, “Come back the same,” and looks me in the eye.
Coach texted last night, said he’s proud of the man,
Said I ran every race like I gave a damn.
Those Friday meets under stadium lights,
Now my future’s measured in days and flights.
Pre-Chorus
Used to chase finish lines, hear my heartbeat roar,
Now I’m chasing something I can’t train for.
Chorus
I’d give anything for one more lap around home,
One more laugh in the place I’ve known.
Hold my girl close, memorize her face,
In case time tries hard to erase.
Trade this uniform for a lane and a gun,
For the sound of my breath and the feel of the run.
Yeah, I’m doing what’s right, what I’ve sworn,
I’m strong enough to leave, just not ready to be gone.
Bridge
Mama cried when she thought I couldn’t see,
Dad stood taller than he felt to be.
They taught me faith, taught me grit,
Taught me how to stand when life gets heavy like this.
I know why I’m going, I know what I’ll be,
But it don’t make it easy saying goodbye to me.
Soft Breakdown Chorus
So I’ll carry their names through the dust and the rain,
Through the lonely nights and the weight of the strain.
When I’m missing home and my heart feels torn,
I’ll remember who I was before the uniform.
Final Chorus
And I’ll dream about one more lap around home,
Where the stands are full and I’m not alone.
She’s smiling at me from the edge of the track,
And my family’s cheering me all the way back.
Till that day comes, I’ll be steady and strong,
Holding on to where I came from.
Yeah, I’ll do my duty till the day I return,
‘Cause I’m strong enough to leave…
But I’ll always miss where I’m from.
