[Verse I] Within thy carriage, hid from prying eyes, Thou speak’st of futures vast and brightly spun; Yet in the tavern’s glare and crowded guise, Thou turn’st away, as though I were but none. A secret writ in whispers, soft and low, Thou keep’st me close when none remain to see; But ‘fore the world, thou dost not deign to show That I am aught of worth or truth to thee. [Pre-Chorus] When sober thought doth settle in thy breast, Thy tongue grows kind, thy manner sweet and fair; Yet when thy wits by folly are possessed, Thou cast’st me off as burden hard to bear. [Chorus] Thou lov’st me only when thy mind is clear, When reason holds dominion o’er thy will; But when thou fall’st to wine or doubt or fear, I am the fault thou seek’st thyself to still. When all depart and silence claims the night, Thou call’st me forth, thy solace to restore; Yet if thou canst not choose me in thy plight, Then choose me not when thou art whole once more. [Verse II] Thou hold’st me close when shadows veil thy sight, Yet in the day thou loos’st thy careful hand; As though my name were fragile in the light, A truth too bold for others to withstand. I told mine heart ‘twas time that wrought this strain, Or trials deep thou couldst not well impart; But love that hideth thus in shade and shame Is but a distance masked as tender heart. [Pre-Chorus] Thou seek’st me when thy storms have come to rest, When quiet seas reflect a steadied soul; Yet when the tempest rages in thy chest, I am the wreck thou blam’st to make thee whole. [Bridge] Then carve this truth where thou may’st plainly read, And let it stand though all thy moods may shift: I was no passing balm for fleeting need, Nor idle comfort thou couldst take and lift. If I be shadow when thy world doth break, Yet sunlight when thy better self is near, Then ‘tis not love thou giv’st, but what thou tak’st— A form of me made safe to hold, not dear. [Final Chorus / Outro] Thou lov’st me only when thy mind is clear, When gentler thoughts upon thy spirit lie; But I am not a truth that comes and goes, Nor breath that fades when troubled winds draw nigh. If I exist not in thy darkest hour, Then claim me not within thy fairest day; For love that lacketh constancy and power Is but a thing already cast away.
