Cap and Gown on the Back Seat

Lyrics

The gown is on the back seat, folded like a sail
Your tassel's in the cup-holder, a little bit stale
You talked all through the traffic, I just let you go
And I kept my eyes on the road so you wouldn't know

I'm proud of you, I'm proud of you
I never found the words, but it's true
Four years of late-night lamplight, a kettle and a book
And all I did was drive you, and I'm proud of how you look
Not the hat, not the paper, just the way you walk
Easy through the doorway, with the whole room in your talk

I remember the first morning, your bag was twice your size
You waved from the school gate with nervous, shining eyes
Now the same small hand is holding a rolled-up scroll
And somewhere in my chest a door has come unstuck

I'm proud of you, I'm proud of you
I never found the words, but it's true
Four years of late-night lamplight, a kettle and a book
And all I did was drive you, and I'm proud of how you look
Not the hat, not the paper, just the way you walk
Easy through the doorway, with the whole room in your talk

Some pride is loud with flowers
Some pride just holds the keys
It sits beside you quiet
And hums along with ease

We stopped for chips and vinegar beside the garden wall
You laughed with salt on your fingers, taller than us all
I said the car was yours now, for the long road you will take
You said, keep the front seat, Dad, for old time's sake

I'm proud of you, I'm proud of you
I never found the words, but it's true
Four years of late-night lamplight, a kettle and a book
And all I did was drive you, and I'm proud of how you look
Not the hat, not the paper, just the way you walk
Easy through the doorway, with the whole room in your talk

Gown on the back seat, folded like a sail
Home, home, the long way home
I'm proud of you