She walked in smiling, brought the room alive Found something lovely in every face A dress, a laugh, the way you wore your hair Patsy always had a compliment to share But don’t mistake her sweetness for surrender She knew her mind and kept it centered Gentle in her heart, steady on her feet She gave you kindness first, then met you where you stood She gave kindness first She gave love away Found a little good In everyone each day But the spirit that you brought Was the spirit you would find Give her warmth, she gave you sunshine Give her trouble, she spoke her mind (Kindness first, kindness first) (But Patsy knew her worth) Even when the years started rearranging Names and days and places kept on changing The deepest part of her stayed the same Love was still the language she came to claim She might forget the hour, repeat a question But never lost her instinct for affection She still looked you over with that bright, knowing eye Found a reason to compliment you as you went by She gave kindness first She gave love away Found a little good In everyone each day But the spirit that you brought Was the spirit you would find Give her patience, she gave you sweetness Push too hard, she spoke her mind (Tell it plain, tell it true) (She gave back what came from you) If you came in gently, she got gentler If you brought a smile, she sent one back If you brought impatience, sharpness, or demand She could hand it right back with one look and one raised hand She mirrored what you carried through the doorway Your attitude could change the whole day Come with love, and love was what she gave Come in throwing thunder, she was nobody’s wave to tame She gave kindness first She gave love away Found a little good In everyone each day But the spirit that you brought Was the spirit you would find Give her grace, she gave you comfort Cross the line, she spoke her mind Kindness never meant she had to disappear Gentleness was courage, calm and clear She could welcome you with laughter She could tell you when you’re wrong A tender heart, a steady voice A woman standing strong She taught us love can listen Love can offer one more chance But love can draw a boundary Then turn around and dance Keep kicking (Keep kicking) Keep ticking (Keep ticking) Keep loving (Keep giving) Say something good To everyone you see Stand kindly (Stand firmly) Live boldly (Live freely) Give what you hope The whole wide world can be She gave kindness first And her love keeps rolling on In every warm compliment In every Motown song She was gentle, she was firm And she knew what she deserved She gave the world her tenderness But she never lost her nerve She gave kindness first That was written in her heart Even when the years took memories They could not take that part She saw the good (And said it loud) She stood her ground (And stood it proud) Give her love (She gave it back) Bring some heat (She handled that) Keep on kicking (keep kicking) Keep on ticking (keep ticking) Keep dancing (Right on time) Patsy gave us kindness first And never lost her mind about her worth.
