[Intro] Mama says look both ways So I check behind me too Strangers only stay strangers Till I ask them, who are you [Verse 1] I walk to school at seven Count windows, count the crows The crossing guard says hurry But never tells me where she goes... A boy says I am creepy I ask him what that means He says I smile at nothing I tell him nothing smiles at me [Pre-Chorus] Teacher says use indoor voices So I whisper through the wall She asks who I am talking to I say whoever heard me call [Chorus] I am being good, I’m learning I do exactly what they say I never talk to strangers I ask their names, then they can stay... I am being good, I’m learning I keep a little list If somebody says they know me I write down what they missed [Verse 2] The grocer says don’t touch things So I point at what I want The lady by the freezer Drops her keys and carries on... I follow close behind her Because no one walks alone She asks why I know her doorway I say the keys already know [Pre-Chorus 2] Mama says don’t stare at people So I watch them in the glass They look different in reflection But I know them when they pass [Chorus 2] I am being good, I’m learning I do exactly what they say I never follow strangers Once I know their names, it’s safe... I am being good, I’m learning I keep the numbers straight Everybody has a pattern Everybody has a gate [Bridge] I learned smiling makes them calmer I learned blinking breaks the stare I learned when to say I’m sorry Even when they don’t know I’m there... I learned doors have little voices I learned floors remember feet Grownups call it being sneaky I call it walking quietly [Final Chorus] I am being good, I’m learning I do exactly what they say I never talk to strangers I learn their names and where they stay... I am being good, I’m learning I keep a little list Every house has one dark window Every family has one missing bit... I learned smiling makes them calmer I learned waiting makes them slow I learned people stop looking When they think you had to go... I am being good, I’m learning No rules left to explain Tomorrow I will try the shortcut The one behind the playground gate [Outro] Mama says come straight home I did She never said come alone
