[Verse 1] You leave your coat across my chair And ask me how the day went wrong I hear the answer in your pause And let you finish, let it land I used to win the last word Like it was something I could keep Now I can see your tired eyes And choose the gentler thing to say [Pre-Chorus] You don't ask me to be perfect You just ask me to be here So I’m learning how to listen When my old defenses steer [Chorus] For the love you give me, I can change Put the sharp reply away Take the long way back, make room to understand I want to be a better man Not to earn a gold star or a name But to meet your open hands You make me want to do the work And be a better man [Verse 2] You know the habits I defend The little lies I call good sense You never make a courtroom of it You say, “Come on, let’s try again” So I call my brother back I own the things I left unsaid I make the promise small enough To keep tomorrow, then the next [Pre-Chorus] You don't ask me for a rescue You don't need me dressed in gold You just leave the door unlocked And I decide which way to go [Chorus] For the love you give me, I can change Put the sharp reply away Take the long way back, make room to understand I want to be a better man Not to earn a gold star or a name But to meet your open hands You make me want to do the work And be a better man [Bridge] If I stumble, let me say it If I miss, let me repair Love is not a clean beginning It's the choice to still be there One more morning, one more answer One more promise I can keep You don't carry me across it You just walk beside me [Final Chorus] For the love you give me, I can change Put the sharp reply away Take the long way back, make room to understand I want to be a better man Not to earn a gold star or a name But to meet your open hands You make me want to do the work And be a better man [Outro] One small choice, then one again For your love, I’ll be a better man
