The Calm She Gave Me

(Verse 1) Two and a half years in a concrete cage, for a fire I couldn't tame A second-degree temper, wearin' my own shame They cut me loose with a bus ticket, to a new town, a new name Three years on parole, my future just a flickerin' flame I was fightin' the current, of the man I was before Every sideways glance just made me wanna even up the score The old voices called, promised justice with a clenched fist One wrong word away from a life I'd surely miss. (Chorus) I was one sharp word, one hot spark from a permanent stone wall Or my face on a memorial t-shirt, after a final fall I was a fight waitin' to happen, a storm brewin' in the air Clutchin' my new freedom with a desperate, shaky care Then I saw her at a party, not lookin' for a cure And she disarmed the anger in me, made me feel secure She never knew the war inside, the rage she helped me tame She just saw a man who was troubled and she helped him calm the flame (Verse 2) I learned to bite my tongue down, to walk the other way To build a life worth livin', one peaceful, simple day With a steady job and her hand in mine, I found a different kind of strong The man who solved things with his fists, well, he was finally gone She gave me a reason to breathe deep, to let the small things slide Built a world with so much light, the old darkness couldn't hide And she never flinched, never saw the beast I kept within its pen She just loved me, and she made me believe in who I was again. (Chorus) I was one sharp word, one hot spark from a permanent stone wall Or my face on a memorial t-shirt, after a final fall I was a fight waitin' to happen, a storm brewin' in the air Clutchin' my new freedom with a desperate, shaky care Then she walked into my life, and she quieted the storm She was the peaceful harbor, she kept me safe and warm She never knew the war inside, the rage she helped me tame She just saw a man who was troubled and she helped him calm the flame (Bridge) Now I watch our child, with their cap and gown so proud Their laughter's the redemption, that I never said out loud And I think about the anger, that used to rule my days It's just a faded echo, lost in their gentle ways. (Chorus) 'Cause I was one sharp word, one hot spark from a permanent stone wall But she walked into my life, and she wouldn't let me fall She never knew the war inside, the rage she helped me tame She just saw a man who was troubled... and she helped him calm the flame (Outro) Yeah, she gave me my freedom... And she gave me my name. She gave me the calm... and I'm never lettin' go again.