Empty Chair
Submitted: March 24, 2026 at 10:41 pm Composed/performed by: Laura Honken, lhonken25@gmail.com Copyright: 2026
Verse 1
Twelve-year-old me
Standing on the stage
About to sing a solo
Hands sweating, shaking, and afraid
I searched the audience
For a friendly face
I only saw strangers
My heart beating hard, about to break
Pre-Chorus
Everyone else was grinning
At loving parents cheering
The only applause I craved
Was the one you never gave
Chorus
I always saved you a seat
Praying you’d show up for me
Trying to convince myself you cared
But you were never there
Where you were supposed to be
Was just an empty chair
Verse 2
Twenty-five-year-old me
Standing at the altar
About to say I do
There’s one boutonnière with no wearer
I hoped maybe just once
When I looked around
I would find your face
Crying and smiling among the crowd
Chorus
I always saved you a seat
Praying you’d show up for me
Trying to convince myself you cared
But you were never there
Where you were supposed to be
Was just an empty chair
Bridge
Never there when I needed you
Never your presence, just an excuse
When I’m a dad, I’ll know just what to do
Chorus
My kids will save me a seat
And I’ll be there without a prayer
They’ll never scan the crowd for me
They’ll hear the applause they need
I’ll always be there
Never an empty chair
No more empty chairs
