When you loved me

You held my hand in the warmth of that pool

Taught me how to breathe when the water got deep

Said, "Daughter, keep your head up and your eyes on the shore"

So I wouldn't have to worry 'bout drowning no more.

We’d go to the gym, you’d help me exercise and grow physically and mentally stronger

To guard my own heart, to give myself a chance

To defend who I was when the world got cold

Back when your kindness was a story you told.

I had that beloved silver heart locket, medium in size

I’d shake it just to remember your words

The window would open, the message would show

"Always remember that I love you so."

But the message started fading, the metal turned grey

The words disappeared and I lost it one day

And it felt like a warning of things down the line

That the love in that locket was running out of time.

‘Cause you used to love me like a person, not a shadow

You used to want me to stand tall and be brave

Now you just want me to bend and to follow

And bury the pieces of me you can’t save.

You call me naive and you get in my face

Replacing the mercy with bitter disgrace

I miss the mother who taught me to be free

Back when you loved me.

Now I’m in a new house with a man and a ring

But I still feel the sting of the names that you fling

The back of your hand when I spoke up my mind

The "gullible" label you left me behind.

But the day that you broke me, the day it was done

Was when you took Rocky—the only one

Who loved me like you did before the change

Now even your memory feels hollow and strange.

I don’t need the karate to defend from the street

I need it to stand when you’re making me weak.

I’m finally swimming, I’m holding my breath

But choosing myself feels like mourning a death.

I hope that you're happy with the quiet you bought

With the "lessons" you gave and the "battles" you fought.

I’m safe in this life, and I’m finally free

Thanks to the person you used to be that taught me everything...

Back when you loved me.

Yeah, back when you loved me.