[Verse 1] Mama kept bread on the sill to cool Dad fixed chairs with a coffee tin of screws I learned your name by the garden gate You laughed once and the whole yard changed [Pre-Chorus] We had no gold just jars and rain Your hand in mine felt rich that way [Chorus] Keep me by the fire Keep me close to home Simple life, simple love That’s all I’ve ever known (simple life, simple love) Keep me by the fire When the long days go Simple life, simple love And your hand in my hand [Verse 2] We washed tin plates in a basin of tin You sang along while I mended the fence Sunday dust on your borrowed dress You made that room feel better than rich [Pre-Chorus] The clock could groan the seasons turn Still your eyes were the first thing I’d learn [Chorus] Keep me by the fire Keep me close to home Simple life, simple love That’s all I’ve ever known (simple life, simple love) Keep me by the fire When the long days go Simple life, simple love And your hand in my hand [Bridge] Now the lane goes quiet after the rain Your porch light waits like it knows my name If the world gets loud and my feet grow slow I’ll follow that warmth back where we both know [Chorus] Keep me by the fire Keep me close to home Simple life, simple love That’s all I’ve ever known (simple life, simple love) Keep me by the fire When the long days go Simple life, simple love And your hand in my hand