Mark Erelli - Man of the Family lyrics

Children are laughing In the schoolyard next door You can hear 'em through the stone walls And the stained gla** as they play Seems like yesterday Your mother she's shaking Like a baby bird Perched in the front pew of the church Where they said their vows And you're the man of the family now You're the man of the family now No you can't let 'em see you break down When you don't know what to do You're gonna have to muddle through somehow Somehow You're the man of the family now Your mother seems older Now her hair's gone gray She's pa**ing out roses from the casket bouquet You give one to your wife But you don't know what to say 'Cause you just had a baby Bought your first house It's all you can do to tread water Without feeling like you're gonna drown Every day brings another doubt (Chorus) And there's a little voice inside you Saying you ain't paid your dues You ain't big enough to fill the old man's shoes But there's a picture on the mantle Where he's reaching out to you So you'll follow his example What else can you do You're going bald just like he did But that ain't no shock So you take his old toolbox Make a few small repairs around the house That should hold for now (Chorus)