Teacher's Chair at the Last Parent Night

Lyrics

Back of the gym at the parents' night
Folding chairs and the cafeteria light
I came to hear what they'd say about her
The girl I never thought I'd raise right
The old teacher stood up, gray and slow
Said "I want to tell you what I know
That child of yours has a stubborn heart
And a stubborn heart's the best place to start"

Somebody saw you when I couldn't
Somebody stayed when I walked away
Thank you for the patient hours
And the faith you wouldn't trade
I was gone down the highway
You were there at the desk each day
Somebody saw you when I couldn't
And that's the reason you're okay

I drove the long haul, missed the plays
Missed the science fairs and the birthday days
She'd tell me on the pay phone, "It's alright"
But I could hear the quiet in the night
Her teacher wrote on the back of a test
"You're more than you think. You're the best."
I found that note in my wallet years on
Folded soft, like a prayer, gone

Somebody saw you when I couldn't
Somebody stayed when I walked away
Thank you for the patient hours
And the faith you wouldn't trade
I was gone down the highway
You were there at the desk each day
Somebody saw you when I couldn't
And that's the reason you're okay

I shook her hand at the door that night
Tried to say it right, couldn't say it right
She just smiled and said, "I know"
And the light in the hallway seemed to glow
Some folks carry a whole town's weight
And never ask for thanks or wait
I'm only a driver, I'm only a dad
But I know what good I had

Somebody saw you when I couldn't
Somebody stayed when I walked away
Thank you for the patient hours
And the faith you wouldn't trade
I was gone down the highway
You were there at the desk each day
Somebody saw you when I couldn't
And that's the reason you're okay

Thank you, thank you
For the light you left on