Lyrics
[singer A] You leave the paper folded neat Beside my coat, beside my keys I know the hours you must have spent Choosing something just for me I say your name, I make a smile My hands go cold around the bow There’s nothing wrong with what you gave I just don’t know where to put it now You’re waiting for the little sound Of happy, easy, grateful me I’m trying hard to reach her But my chest won’t let me breathe I love that you thought of me I hate what happens when I take it A kindness lands, my pulse runs wild And shame comes rushing in to claim it I mean the thank-you, every word I wish my body would believe I’m holding something beautiful And feeling like I need to leave [transition] [singer B] You hand me a box And my throat goes dry I smile too fast Like I’m caught off guard The paper’s too pretty The bow sits still I want to say thank you My chest says wait I do appreciate it I swear I do But my hands shake hard When I hold on too I say thank you Then I go cold I feel so loved And so exposed [transition] [singer A] Please don’t mistake my shaking hands For anything you did that’s wrong I see the care inside the paper Even when I can’t stay calm Let me sit here, let me try No bright response I have to give Your love can wait beside the box While I learn how to let it live I love that you thought of me I’m trying not to make it payment A kindness lands, my pulse runs wild But maybe I can stay and name it I mean the thank-you, every word Even if my voice comes weak I’m holding something beautiful And letting myself breathe [transition] [singer B] If I accept it Then I owe you what? A perfect reaction A bright enough heart But my body betrays me Right when you’re kind It turns every blessing Into a warning sign The ribbon rests beside the sink The box stays closed until you’re gone I rehearse a better kind of joy Like I could practice till it comes You say, “It’s nothing, don’t be strange” You mean to lift the weight from me But now I owe you being fine And can’t explain what you can’t see I say thank you Then I go cold I feel so loved And so exposed [Outro] The ribbon rests beside the sink I’ll open it when I can breathe