Lyrics
[Verse 1] I left the porch light burning Though I knew you wouldn’t come Your blue dress on the clothesline Still moved when the day was done I found your note beside the kettle Four words written small and plain You said, “I need to find my own road” And I never asked you to explain [Chorus] If you hear this old heart calling From the far side of the county line I’m not asking you to save me Just remember I was trying to make it right There’s a room with your name on it And a photograph turned face-down by the bed I can live with being lonely But I can’t make peace with what I said [Verse 2] Your brother brought the toolbox For the truck you left behind He said you took the highway north With a little cash and a restless mind I drove past the feed-store window Where we planned those summer days Now the sign is missing two letters And the paint has weathered gray [Chorus] If you hear this old heart calling From the far side of the county line I’m not asking you to save me Just remember I was trying to make it right There’s a room with your name on it And a photograph turned face-down by the bed I can live with being lonely But I can’t make peace with what I said [Bridge] I was proud when I should have held you I was silent when you needed truth Every mile between us keeps on teaching What I could not learn from you [Climax] So if you hear this old heart calling Turn around before the morning starts I’ll meet you where the blacktop bends With both hands open and no armor on my heart Let the years fall where they have fallen Let the hard words lose their weight I have loved you through the leaving And I’ll love you at the gate [Outro] The porch light’s still burning I’ll leave it on tonight
