Down From the Stone

I count the chimneys every morning twenty-three since I was small I know this city like a painting I have memorized from above C'était la seule chose que je pouvais voir... (It was the only thing I could see...) qu'on ne m'a jamais laissé toucher. (and the only thing I was never allowed to touch.) But knowing is not touching and watching is not there I pressed my hands against the glass and left no mark at all J'ai posé mes mains contre le verre (I pressed my hands against the glass) sans y laisser de trace (without leaving a trace.) I have lived inside the outline of a life I never had I have loved a world that doesn't know my name Every bell I ever rang for them rang hollow in my chest I gave everything I had to a city full of windows and a city full of glass Tu disais que c'était de la miséricorde (You said it was mercy.) Tu disais que c'était de la grâce (You said it was grace.) You said the world outside would break me You just needed a safer place You needed something useful You needed someone small You needed me to tend your tower You needed me to fall Je n'ai jamais été le monstre (I was never the monster.) Les murs, c'était toi (The walls were you.) I was never the monster I was just the bells I have lived inside the outline of a life I never had I have loved a world that doesn't know my name Every bell I ever rang for them rang true inside my chest I gave everything I had And I am going down now whether they are ready or they're not Je connais cette ville. (I know this city.) Il est temps qu'elle me connaisse. (It's time this city knew me.)