[Verse 1]
You called me childish in the garden
Paint-stained hands
Temper quick as flame
You were chasing some grand story
I was learning how to sign my name
Snow on the March porch
You laughed at my frozen toes
Said
"Amy
You dream too large"
I said
"Watch me when I'm grown"
[Pre-Chorus]
Every slight you tossed so easy
I tucked inside my sleeve
Turned all your careless moments
Into something I could leave
[Chorus]
I won't be second best in our story
I won't be waiting quiet in the wings
If you want my hand
You face my glory
I am more than pretty things
We tore up all the pages
Now look in my steady eyes
You don't get to love me halfway
You fall
Or you pass me by
[Verse 2]
Paris heat
A ringing studio
Charcoal dust caught in my hair
You sent letters full of weather
Never once said
"Wish you there"
Fred with his practiced manners
Diamonds weighed against my pride
I could have learned to answer "Madame"
But something in me cried
[Pre-Chorus]
All the rooms I walked through lonely
Gold frames on every wall
Every canvas whispered softly
"This is not your love at all"
[Chorus]
I won't be second best in our story
I won't be waiting quiet in the wings
If you want my hand
You face my glory
I am more than pretty things
We tore up all the pages
Now look in my steady eyes
You don't get to love me halfway
You fall
Or you pass me by
[Bridge]
You came back broken on the hillside
Rain still clinging to your coat
Said you tried to love my sister
Till her name choked in your throat
I said
"Laurie
I'm not her shadow
I'm the fire
Not the smoke"
"If you love me
Say it standing
If you don't
Then let me go"
[Chorus]
[Chorus]