Hard to Be a Mom [Lyra / Silver Leaf] [Verse 1] They told me of the Puppeteer, Of strings that made whole kingdoms kneel, They whispered of his little girl, A marionette the world should fear. Then morning came, I pulled the sheets, “Ginny, wake up, get on your feet.” She buried deeper in the bed: “Five more minutes…” That’s what she said. [Pre-Chorus] Oh Eleanor, if you could see, The mighty terror left with me… The girl they hunt from town to town Won’t even put her slippers on. [Chorus] It’s hard to be a mom, When your little storm won’t rise at dawn, When the world screams, “Marionette!” But she asks, “Is breakfast ready yet?” I mend her ribbons, comb her hair, Pretend I don’t see trouble there. She drives me mad, she makes me smile— And somehow makes it all worthwhile. Yeah, it’s hard to be a mom… But I think I like it after all. [Verse 2] She watches patrols leave the gate, With shining eyes she cannot fake. “They look like knights from all my books! Why do I get the boring work?” “Because,” I say, “we need supplies. The wounded don’t heal just with pride.” She pouts as if I’ve done her wrong, Then helps old Thorne the whole day long. Crushing herbs with all her might, Honey, oil, bandages tied. And somehow, when she mixes them, I see her mother’s hands again. [Chorus] It’s hard to be a mom, When your little storm won’t rise at dawn, When the world screams, “Marionette!” But she asks, “Is breakfast ready yet?” I mend her ribbons, comb her hair, Pretend I don’t see trouble there. She drives me mad, she makes me smile— And somehow makes it all worthwhile. [Bridge] I know the name behind her face. I know the blood, the fear, the chase. I know exactly whose child she is. Foster Grey’s. Eleanor’s. The girl the Order wants in chains. But when she falls asleep nearby, Or wipes a leaf out of my hair, I cannot see the beast they name. I only see a girl Who needed someone there. And if the whole world comes for her, Then let them come through Silver Leaf. [Final Chorus] It’s hard to be a mom, To heal the wounds you never caused, To teach a hunted heart that home Can still be somewhere she belongs. So ask for five more minutes, dear. Complain that breakfast isn’t here. Steal my hat and read my books, Give me those innocent little looks. They may call you Marionette. But underneath that feared disguise, You’re still the girl before my eyes. And yes, it’s hard to be a mom… But Ginny, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You’re still the girl before my eyes. And yes, it’s hard to be a mom… But Ginny, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
