[Intro] I drove past the house in September. Someone had painted it green. Strange how a place that could swallow me whole Looked smaller than it did in my dreams. [Verse 1] The tree by the fence had grown over The window I watched from upstairs. I sat with my hands on the steering wheel, Remembering who I was there. I wanted to go back and find him, That boy who could barely make noise. Tell him the world would get bigger. Tell him he’d grow into his voice. [Pre-Chorus] I couldn’t reach across the years. I couldn’t take him from that place. But I could turn the engine over. I could take us both away. [Chorus] I made it out—now let me live. I’ve got more than my hurt to give. I want to love without holding my breath, Want to grow old without drowning in regret. We can’t get back all the years we lost, But they don’t get to take what we’ve still got. I spent so long just trying to get through— Now I want a thousand ordinary days with you. [Verse 2] You met me outside when I got there. I told you the trip had been hard. You asked if I wanted to talk yet. We walked for a while in the yard. I didn’t pretend I was over it. You didn’t pretend you could help. We stopped at the step, and you told me Some things you’d been carrying yourself. [Pre-Chorus] There wasn’t an answer for everything. There wasn’t a promise to make. Just room for the truth between us And time enough for it to take. [Chorus] I made it out—now let me live. I’ve got more than my hurt to give. I want to love without holding my breath, Want to grow old without drowning in regret. We can’t get back all the years we lost, But they don’t get to take what we’ve still got. I spent so long just trying to get through— Now I want a thousand ordinary days with you. [Breakdown] I learned to be quiet. I learned to be small. I learned to say sorry For nothing at all. I carried those lessons. I made you learn some. I cannot undo it. I can choose what comes. [Bridge] If we have a child someday, And something breaks beneath their feet, Let their first thought be to call us. Let them know what help can mean. And if it’s only ever us, Growing older year by year, Let there be room for both our voices. Let there be a reason to stay here. [Final Chorus] I made it out—now let me live. I’ve got more than my hurt to give. I want to love without holding my breath, Want to grow old without drowning in regret. We can’t get back all the years we lost, But they don’t get to take what we’ve still got. I spent so long just trying to get through— Now I want a thousand ordinary days with you. [Outro] I used to leave the hallway light on To see what waited down the hall. Tonight I turn it off beside you. The house is quiet. I close my eyes.
