[Verse 1]
You tuck your scarf beneath your chin
The maples loosen one by one
A paper leaf rides on your sleeve
We watch it turn against the sun
[Pre-Chorus]
The porch boards hold the afternoon
The kettle hums, the windows steam
You say the year is changing hands
I let the quiet answer me
[Chorus]
Autumn, lay your colors down
Gold along the garden wall
I’ll walk beside you through the rust-red ground
And keep the small things that don’t fall
Autumn, take the long way home
Past the fields gone brown and wide
If every branch must let something go
I’ll still be here by your side
[Verse 2]
The orchard gate swings in the wind
One last apple in the grass
Your old blue sweater smells of cedar
And the days go soft and pass
[Pre-Chorus]
We gather kindling by the shed
Your hands are cold; I hold them close
The evening comes a little sooner
Still, there’s warmth in what we know
[Chorus]
Autumn, lay your colors down
Gold along the garden wall
I’ll walk beside you through the rust-red ground
And keep the small things that don’t fall
Autumn, take the long way home
Past the fields gone brown and wide
If every branch must let something go
I’ll still be here by your side
[Bridge]
When bare limbs draw their lines in blue
And frost writes silver on the pane
We’ll save a place beside the fire
And greet the green when it comes again
[Final Chorus]
Autumn, lay your colors down
Gold along the garden wall
I’ll walk beside you through the rust-red ground
And keep the small things that don’t fall
Autumn, take the long way home
Past the fields gone brown and wide
If every branch must let something go
I’ll still be here by your side
[Outro]
I’ll still be here by your side
While the last leaves cross the yard