plate for you

A Plate for You

Verse 1

You called from the driveway, said, "I look a mess,"

Been working all day, didn't have time to dress.

I said, "Baby, come in, leave your shoes by the door,"

You ain't gotta do a thing—you've done enough.

Mama's in the kitchen, singing off-key,

You slip your arms around the back of me.

I turn the burner down, you kiss my cheek,

And suddenly this day feels complete.

Pre-Chorus

You've been giving everybody all you've got,

Let me give you something warm for once.

Take your time, let your shoulders fall—

Right here, you don't have to hold it all.

Chorus

I saved a plate for you,

Saved you a place beside me, too.

Before we bow our heads,

There's something I wanna say to you:

Thank you for loving me

When loving me took patience.

Every day you stay, you give me

One more reason to be grateful.

Ooh, after all we've made it through,

I'm giving thanks for you.

Verse 2

Your knee touches mine underneath the table,

Uncle tells a story nobody believes.

You laugh so hard you have to catch your breath,

That's a sound I didn't know I'd missed.

We've had some nights when we barely spoke,

Bills on the counter, both losing hope.

But you'd reach for me before we fell asleep—

Even on the hard days, you stayed close to me.

Pre-Chorus

Now the room is full, and the candles glow,

I squeeze your hand so you'll know:

Of everything this year brought my way,

You're the blessing I can touch today.

Chorus

I saved a plate for you,

Saved you a place beside me, too.

Before we bow our heads,

There's something I wanna say to you:

Thank you for loving me

When loving me took patience.

Every day you stay, you give me

One more reason to be grateful.

Ooh, after all we've made it through,

I'm giving thanks for you.

Bridge — stripped back

When everybody leaves,

Let the dishes wait for me.

There's a record I wanna play,

And a little more I wanna say.

You pull me close in the kitchen light,

We take our time with a dance tonight.

My head on your chest, your hand on my waist—

I could stay here past Thanksgiving Day.

Final Chorus — layered harmonies

I saved a plate for you,

Saved you a place beside me, too.

And now that the house is quiet,

Let me say it like I mean it to:

Thank you for loving me

When loving me took patience.

Every day you stay, you give me

One more reason to be grateful.

Ooh, after all we've made it through,

I'm giving thanks for you.

(For the way you hold me)

I'm giving thanks for you.

(For the way you know me)

Baby, I'm thankful for you.

Outro

There's still a little sweetness left,

Come share the last slice with me.

Put your head here on my shoulder—

We've got nowhere else to be.