Those empty shoes are sitting there, like they always did

In the recess beneath the stair, ever since I was a kid.

Dad would come home from his work, and place them on the floor

It's so hard to understand; he's coming home no more.

They've sat there for three long years, mum cleans them every day

A constant reminder of my father, she won't throw them away.

Dad came home that fateful night and sat down in his chair

He removed his shoes as usual, and put them under the stair.

I heard him cough like he always did; he'd had that cough so long

When I heard him gasp for air, I knew something was wrong.

I dashed into the hallway; he was standing by the door.

His face was drawn and ashen, like I'd never seen before.

Mum said "Call an ambulance," I fumbled with the phone

The ambulance took them both away; I was left here all alone.

That was the last time I saw him alive; he never did come back

He died on the way to hospital, from a massive heart attack.

When I need to talk to my father, I sit by his empty shoes

I know that he'll be listening, as I tell him my latest news.

I told him when I got married; I told him that I was a dad

The thing that really saddens me is, he never saw my lad.

He said son look after your mother, your wife and little boy too

You're now the head of the family, they all depend on you.

I have a task for you to do; it's one you wont refuse

The time has come, as you knew it would, to fill my empty shoes.