# Hopelessly Hopeful [Intro – Playful, acoustic guitar, little mechanical clicks] Heh! Okay, so... this one's a little personal. Don't tell the Archivist. He'll make it a whole *thing*. [Verse 1 – Bouncy, conversational] I've got a hundred little projects, And a thousand bigger dreams, A workshop full of almost-works, And plans held up with string. I've got scorch marks on the ceiling, And a dent behind the door, And every time I think I'm finished, I go and build one more! They say, "Fidget, take a breather!" I say, "Yeah! That's probably wise!" Then I spot a broken something And there's lightning in my eyes! [Pre-Chorus – Music softens, more vulnerable] But somewhere underneath the laughter, Past the gears and all the noise, There's a little voice that whispers, "You'll never be enough." And I wish I didn't listen... But sometimes that gets tough. [Chorus – Soaring, heartfelt, full band] **I can see the light in everybody else, I'm just learning how to see it in myself.** I can tell you you're amazing, That your broken wings can fly, But I'm still figuring out How to look myself in the eye. I'm a little bit of trouble, And a whole lot of heart, Still collecting all the pieces Of the things that fell apart. And if hope is just a stubborn little spark, I'll keep it burning in the dark! **I'm hopelessly hopeful!** Yeah, hopelessly hopeful! [Verse 2 – Energetic, mischievous] I can tell you all the reasons That your dreams deserve a chance, I can pull you from the wreckage And convince you we can dance! I can find a silver lining In a thunderstorm at sea, But somehow all my clever answers Get a little lost on me. Got a friend who keeps on writing Down the things the world forgets, He thinks everything must matter— I say, "Hey, it matters yet!" He just smiles beneath his glasses, Says, "You ought to hear yourself." Then I laugh and change the subject, Put my feelings on a shelf. [Pre-Chorus – Quieter, reflective] 'Cause it's easier to tell you That tomorrow's worth the fight, Than to stand before a mirror And believe I'll be alright. But I'm trying... Yeah, I'm trying... [Chorus – Stronger, more emotional] **I can see the light in everybody else, I'm just learning how to see it in myself.** I can tell you you're amazing, That your broken wings can fly, But I'm still figuring out How to look myself in the eye. I'm a little bit of trouble, And a whole lot of heart, Still collecting all the pieces Of the things that fell apart. And if hope is just a stubborn little spark, I'll keep it burning in the dark! **I'm hopelessly hopeful!** Oh, hopelessly hopeful! [Bridge – Stripped back, intimate, almost spoken] You know... Sometimes I wonder if I'm helping, Or just making so much noise That I never hear the question Underneath my cheerful voice. What if nothing that I'm building Ever turns out quite like planned? What if all I've really managed Is a pile of broken plans? [Pause] But then somebody says, "You helped me." Or they smile because I tried. And that tiny little moment Gets me glowing up inside. Maybe I don't have to earn it. Maybe I don't have to prove That I'm worth a little kindness Just by all the things I do. [Build – Gentle guitar, then rising drums] And if I can't quite believe it, Well, I'll practice every day. I'll keep telling you you're worth it... Till I learn to say the same. [Final Chorus – Explosive, joyful, emotional] **I can see the light in everybody else, I'm just learning how to see it in myself!** And maybe all these little failures Aren't the ending of my tale, Maybe being worth believing in Doesn't mean I cannot fail! I'm a little bit of trouble, And a whole lot of heart, And I'm learning even broken things Can make a brand-new start! If hope is just a stubborn little spark, Then watch me light up all the dark! **I'm hopelessly hopeful!** Still hopelessly hopeful! Not because I know I'll win, But because I'll try again! [Outro – Playful, warm, slowing] So here's to all the dreamers, And the things we haven't made, To the plans that went sideways, And the ones we threw away. If I can see the good in you, Maybe someday I'll believe... [Softly] There's a little bit of that in me. [Beat] ...Anyway! I think I left the soldering iron on. [Mechanical pop, startled squeak] Oh! THAT'S NOT GOOD! [Final bright guitar chord]
