[Verse 1]
One day after my own birthday
You came home into our arms
I was twenty-nine and fumbling
Through my questions and alarms

I should have spoken slower
I should have read you more
I was building late and later
Thinking I had time before

[Pre-Chorus]
Not asking for agreement
Not asking you to stand
Where I had to stand without you
I just want you to understand

[Chorus]
I am sorry, Cole
For the hours I did not speak
For the answers I was writing
When I could have knelt to teach

Read the book before you close it
Pray before you push away
Every word was for the moment
You would hear me someday say

[Verse 2]
I was building in the quiet
I was writing through the night
And the years came in like water
And the book became my light

I had all these chapters finished
And I never told you so
I assumed you'd read the pages
I assumed you'd want to know

[Pre-Chorus]
Not asking for agreement
Not asking you to stand
Where I had to stand without you
I just want you to understand

[Chorus]
I am sorry, Cole
For the hours I did not speak
For the answers I was writing
When I could have knelt to teach

Read the book before you close it
Pray before you push away
Every word was for the moment
You would hear me someday say

[Bridge]
I have been a worm and beggar
I have been a reaching man
I have been a father carrying
The weight of what I didn't plan

And I know you've called it heresy
And I felt each word you said
But I'm asking you to read it
With your prayers and with your head

[Final Chorus]
Not too late, Cole
I am not too far away
You can read it, you can pray it
You can seek me any day

Read the book before you close it
Pray before you push away
Every word was for the moment
You would hear me someday say

[Outro]
I just want you to understand
I just want you to understand
Read me first, my son
I just want you to understand