Mom and dad told me when you were on the way
They wouldn't love me any less
Well, I didn't believe them, I thought you'd take my place
I didn't know a best friend's what I'd get

Through the years, I'd make mistakes
So you wouldn't have to make 'em
And I took chances every day
So you'd know when to take 'em

You can follow my footprints
But you don't gotta fill my shoes
It's just a path for you to follow
If you so choose
You can take the road less traveled
Yeah, I'd probably do that, too
But if you're lost and feelin' broken
Through and through
You can follow the footprints
I left for you

If you break mama's window, just go on and tell the truth
'Cause trust is the one thing you don't wanna break
And if you drink yourself into trouble, then gettin' locked up in your room
Is way better than gettin' locked up at the station

Oh, through the years, I'd make mistakes
So you wouldn't have to make 'em
Yeah, I took chances every day
So you'd know when to take 'em

You can follow my footprints
But you don't gotta fill my shoes
It's just a path for you to follow
If you so choose
You can take the road less traveled
Yeah, I'd probably do that, too
But if you're lost and feelin' broken
Through and through
You can follow the footprints
I left for you

I left for you

And if, one day, you run right past me
Chasin' down your dreams (chasin' down your dreams)
I hope that I can look ahead
And you'll turn and say to me

You can follow my footprints
But you don't gotta fill my shoes
It's just a path for you to follow
If you so choose
You can take the road less traveled
Yeah, I'd probably do that, too
But if you're lost and feelin' broken
Through and through
You can follow the footprints
I left for you

You can follow the footprints
I left for you