[Verse 1]
Cardboard crown
Crooked on my head
Letters lined up in my shaking hands
Gym lights buzzing
Squeaky wooden stands
You were there in the front row
Mouth every word I said
Trophy plastic
But it felt like gold
You wrapped me up in that winter coat
Said
"Baby
That brain of yours could move a mountain"
I still taste the hot cocoa
Hear your laugh in the hallway fountain
[Chorus]
Backstage with my mama
Spelling out the world in a trembling voice
Every little word felt like glory
‘Cause you were my choice and my cheer and my noise
Time runs like water
Slipping through my fingers while I try to hold on
Warm and fuzzy in the glow of that memory
But the stage feels colder
Now that you’re gone
[Verse 2]
I blink once
And the banners fade
That gym’s a parking lot
They paved our stage
Friends have kids who can spell those words now
I get lost in the grocery line
Thinking how you’d be proud somehow
I miss your calls on a Tuesday night
The way you’d say my name just a little too bright
Spell “F-A-M-I-L-Y” in my head like a prayer
Sometimes I talk to the empty air
Pretend you’re still there
[Chorus]
Backstage with my mama
Spelling out the world in a trembling voice
Every little word felt like glory
‘Cause you were my choice and my cheer and my noise
Time runs like water
Slipping through my fingers while I try to hold on
Warm and fuzzy in the glow of that memory
But the stage feels colder
Now that you’re gone
[Bridge]
L-I-F-E
Is a word that’s too short
Y-E-A-R-S
Disappear like smoke from a porch
If I get one more shot
At that old gym door (oh)
I’d drop the script in my hands
And just hold you more
[Chorus]
Backstage with my mama
Spelling out the world in a trembling voice
Every little word still feels like glory
‘Cause you’re still my choice and my cheer and my noise
Time runs like water
But you’re written in every line of my song
Warm and fuzzy when I whisper that memory
‘Cause a piece of your heart
Keeps carrying me on