Lyrics

Rocking chair creaks in a quiet den
Bad dreams keep on chasing him
Tiny hands cling to a new backpack
She whispers, "Mama's coming right back"
She holds him close, feels his heartbeat pound
Says, "You're braver than you know right now"
He takes one step; she lets him go
And her heart starts giving up control

You gotta know when to hold 'em
When to let 'em go
When to pull 'em a little bit closer
When their world feels out of control
Know when to lead and when to let 'em run
Trust the One who loves them more than anyone
Learning every day to let 'em go
And still know
When to hold 'em

Teen years come with a set of keys
Slammed doors, "You just don't get me"
He walks the floor till the headlights shine
Says, "Text me if you're late next time"
Bites his tongue, won't lay down the law
Says a prayer when he hears that car
Pulls her in and lets her fall apart
Learnin' how to let her make her own new start

You gotta know when to hold 'em
When to let 'em go
When to pull 'em a little bit closer
When their world feels out of control
Know when to lead and when to let 'em run
Trust the One who loves them more than anyone
Learning every day to let 'em go
And still know
When to hold 'em

Moving boxes, one stray shoe
Clean sheets on beds they don't use
Can't tuck 'em in 'cause they're not here
But every night they're covered in prayer

You gotta know when to hold 'em
When to let 'em go
When to pull 'em a little bit closer
When their world feels out of control
Know when to lead and when to let 'em run
Trust the One who loves them more than anyone
Learning every day to let 'em go
And still know
When to hold 'em
When to hold 'em