Last Walk Through the Empty Rooms

Lyrics

Walls got pencil marks where I was growing up
Door frame tells the story, every inch and every cut
Mama in the doorway with the keys inside her hand
Truck is packed and idling, but my feet don't understand
Kitchen smells like Sundays, even though the shelves are bare
Echo in the hallway like the house is saying prayer
I came in as a kid with a bike and busted knees
Walking out a grown man with a bag and memories

Last walk through the empty rooms
Every corner holding on to afternoons
Last walk, say goodbye to the floor
But the home inside me keeps the door
Last walk through the empty rooms
Carry it with me, I'll be back real soon

Back room where I wrote my very first rhyme
Notebook on the windowsill, I wrote it line by line
Pops used to whistle when he fixed the leaking tap
Now the whistle's in my chest every time I look back
Neighbors on the sidewalk with a wave and with a grin
Mrs. Okafor with a plate of something warm to send me in
Said a house is only wood, but a home is who you are
Pack it up, but keep the light on like a star

Last walk through the empty rooms
Every corner holding on to afternoons
Last walk, say goodbye to the floor
But the home inside me keeps the door
Last walk through the empty rooms
Carry it with me, I'll be back real soon

Turn the key, hear it click
Porch step creaking, one more kick
Mama's hand on my shoulder, says go
Doors close, but the love don't know

Pull off slowly, mirror full of the porch
Small house getting smaller like a dimming torch
New place waiting, boxes in a stack
But I know the way to where I came from, I can always go back

Last walk through the empty rooms
Every corner holding on to afternoons
Last walk, say goodbye to the floor
But the home inside me keeps the door
Last walk through the empty rooms
Carry it with me, I'll be back real soon