Empty Frame

[Intro] (Ooh, ooh) Come here, baby Sit right here by me You ask so many questions (So many questions) Yeah [Verse 1] You’re pointing at the plastic pages Asking who that is in the faded coat That’s just a friend from back in the day Somebody I used to know Then you flip to the very start Looking for a face that looks like mine You see the cousins and the neighbors But you’re reading between the lines (Reading between the lines) You ask me where my mama is And why granddaddy never calls [Chorus] I built this house with two strong hands To give you everything I never had But there’s a space in the middle of the wall A hollow place that makes me feel bad It’s an empty frame in a quiet hallway A part of the map I had to burn To keep you safe from the storm outside And the lessons I had to learn (The lessons I had to learn) [Verse 2] I tell you they’re just traveling Or living way out past the sea I put a smile on to mask the sting Of the way they handled me I don’t want to plant that seed Of how a person can turn so cold So I tell you about the sunshine And keep the heavy stuff on hold (Keep it on hold) You shouldn't have to carry The weight of what they put me through [Chorus] I built this house with two strong hands To give you everything I never had But there’s a space in the middle of the wall A hollow place that makes me feel bad It’s an empty frame in a quiet hallway A part of the map I had to burn To keep you safe from the storm outside And the lessons I had to learn (The lessons I had to learn) [Bridge] Maybe when you’re older And your own roots are thick and deep I can tell you why I ran away And the secrets that I keep But right now your heart is soft (So soft) And I won't be the one to break it I'd rather bear the silence Than watch you try to take it (Watch you try to take it) [Chorus] I built this house with two strong hands To give you everything I never had But there’s a space in the middle of the wall A hollow place that makes me feel bad It’s an empty frame in a quiet hallway A part of the map I had to burn To keep you safe from the storm outside And the lessons I had to learn [Outro] The lessons I had to learn (Empty frame) Just look at me instead (Look at me) I’m your family now (I’m your family) I’m the bridge that didn't break (Didn't break) Even if the past is heavy We’re gonna be okay (Ooh, ooh) Sleep now, baby (Sleep now) It’s just an empty frame (Just an empty frame) (Just a space) (Mmm)