[Verse 1] You said the meeting starts at nine I said, “Technically, nine-oh-five” The clock was slow, I checked it twice Then checked the source that set it right You smiled and passed the coffee round I named the roast, the farm, the ground I meant to help; I meant no slight I just kept tightening the line [Pre-Chorus] I hear the little hinge of words And cannot leave it where it turns [Chorus] I’m sorry, I corrected you again I only meant to make it clear The footnote grew a second page Before I noticed you were here I don’t want every small detail To take the whole conversation’s place I’m trying to let a sentence stand A little crooked, in its grace [Verse 2] You called the soup a stew, I said There’s one more difference in the bread You asked me how my weekend went I gave a timeline, then an addendum Your story had a lovely end I fixed the date, then asked again I saw your eyebrows lift a little And felt my careful point go brittle [Pre-Chorus] I hear the little hinge of words And cannot leave it where it turns [Chorus] I’m sorry, I corrected you again I only meant to make it clear The footnote grew a second page Before I noticed you were here I don’t want every small detail To take the whole conversation’s place I’m trying to let a sentence stand A little crooked, in its grace [Bridge] Maybe the truth can wait a beat Maybe a pause is not defeat The cup is warm, your hands are cold I can hear the story, not just hold A ruler to the things you say And measure every inch away [Final Chorus] I’m sorry, I corrected you again I know the habit isn’t kind I’ll save the footnote for myself And leave a little room behind I don’t want every small detail To take the whole conversation’s place I’m trying to let a sentence stand And meet you there, at your own pace [Outro] Nine is nine; I’ll let it be Tell me the rest. I’m listening.
