Track 5 of the album Back Door Open · 2022
The Teacher Who Left the Back Door Open
“I was a boy with a chip on my shoulder skipping out the side gate, and one teacher never locked it. I owe that woman a lot of verses.”
rock ballad · tribute ballad · heartland rock · 3:48
Lyrics
I was a boy with a chip on his shoulder Skipping out the side of the schoolyard gate Mr. Delaney found me in the auto shop Said, son, you're not as late as you think, you're straight He never raised a voice or a hand Just handed me a wrench and a rag Said, listen to the engine, it'll tell you something About a man who's learning how to drag He left the back door open For a boy who couldn't walk through the front Left the light on in the garage When I was nothing but a stunt Now I drive a thousand miles of highway Fixing every truck I can And I owe it all to the back door open And a patient, steady man He drove me home when the bus had left Didn't say a word the whole way there Parked beside my mama's rusted porch Said, I'll be here at seven, if you care I showed up every morning after that Hands in grease and head held high He passed me a diploma I didn't know I'd earned With a nod and a tired eye He left the back door open For a boy who couldn't walk through the front Left the light on in the garage When I was nothing but a stunt Now I drive a thousand miles of highway Fixing every truck I can And I owe it all to the back door open And a patient, steady man If you're out there, Mr. Delaney I kept the wrench I kept the rag I kept the way you said my name Like it was worth a lot He left the back door open For a boy who couldn't walk through the front Left the light on in the garage When I was nothing but a stunt Now I drive a thousand miles of highway Fixing every truck I can And I owe it all to the back door open And a patient, steady man A patient, steady man Back door open, light still on