【Intro】 I polished my shoes this morning And put on my finest tie A table for two by the window A gentleman, right on time I carried a rose in my left hand And practiced a charming stare Then stepped into the elevator Like music filled the air 【Verse 1】 Then something above me whispered A delicate little cough The lights began to flicker And the numbers all went off A tremble ran through the carpet A shiver kissed the floor I smiled at my reflection Like I’d been here before 【Pre-Chorus 1】 Then down We went Too fast My hat Flew up I passed A prayer A laugh A frown And gravity Put on Its crown 【Chorus 1】 Should I jump? Should I lie down? Should I pray? Should I make no sound? Should I bend both knees? Should I cover my face? Is there a way To fall with grace? Oh, what a lovely evening What a tasteful little drop The world is going downward And I would like it to stop 【Verse 2】 I feel a situation Building deep inside But I am a gentleman So I’ll keep that classified My trousers know a secret My dignity knows fear I straighten up my collar And pretend I’m not here 【Pre-Chorus 2】 Oh shit— Mama, dear You were right All these years “Take the stairs Use your feet” Now I’m falling In a box Too neat 【Chorus 2】 The brakes scream sharp Like silver pain A violin murder Inside my brain Beside me stands An emo boy Headphones on And zero joy I say, “You scared?” He says, “Not really.” I say, “That’s modern.” He says, “Constantly.” Oh, what a lovely evening What a stylish little fall The walls are getting louder And I regret it all 【Bridge】 Then everything slows down Like an old projector reel I see birthday cake and parking lots And every unpaid meal I see the date I never made it to The wine I never poured The flowers in my left hand Now scattered on the floor I see my mother waving From a kitchen full of light Saying, “Baby, take the staircase At least once in your life.” And somewhere in the city My almost-love still waits For a man inside an elevator Making peace with poor mistakes 【Chorus 3】 Then suddenly—the shaking stops The lights return to gold The doors slide open gently Like nothing uncontrolled I step into the lobby With diplomatic grace A little pale around the mouth But dignity in place I nod to the emo boy He gives a tiny shrug I smooth my coat, adjust my tie And step across the rug Oh, what a lovely evening What a curious little ride I nearly met my maker But I kept myself inside 【Outro】 Mama, you were right again I say it soft and sweet A gentleman may love the sky But he should trust his feet Mama, you were right again I’ll listen when you speak From now on, if I’m going up I’m walking every week Take the stairs Take the stairs Oh Mama, I swear Next time I’ll take The stairs
