Learner's Permit Summer

Lyrics

Sixteen in July with a paper in my pocket
Said I could drive if somebody's in the seat
Mama in the passenger, white-knuckled on the handle
Radio up loud so she can't hear her heartbeat
Mirror, mirror, signal, check the shoulder
Roll through the stop sign, not quite, almost right
Mama said, baby, you're doing fine, just slower
We took the long road home in the golden light

Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Windows down and nothing left to prove
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Every mile is mine to choose
Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Singing off key to the radio
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Look at me, I'm going, I'm going slow

Past the water tower and the feed store corner
Past the field where we used to run and hide
I took the county road a little wider than I should have
Mama laughed so hard that she nearly cried
Gravel in the bends and the dust behind us rising
Crickets in the evening like a crowd
I felt like I was flying at thirty-five miles an hour
Mama turned the music up and said, go on, be proud

Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Windows down and nothing left to prove
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Every mile is mine to choose
Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Singing off key to the radio
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Look at me, I'm going, I'm going slow

Now the road is long and I have lost count of the miles
But I remember that first sweet mile
Her hand upon the dash, the setting sun
The feeling that my life had just begun

Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Windows down and nothing left to prove
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Every mile is mine to choose
Hands at ten and two, the whole world open
Singing off key to the radio
Learner's permit summer, we are rolling
Look at me, I'm going, I'm going slow

Look at me, I'm going slow