[Verse 1] I swallowed sparks to make them stars one by one they left me dark What warmed me once now eats the air I hold my breath like a prayer [Pre-Chorus] I smiled for the crowd with ash on my tongue the hand that clapped was already gone I kept the flame alive and let myself go cold [Chorus] I swallowed sparks to make them stars I swallowed sparks and lost my heart Applause tastes sweet until it tastes of smoke (applause tastes sweet) until it takes your throat [Verse 2] Under the tent my ribs went thin painted red lips and a paper grin I fed the blaze my name, my hands the more they cheered the less I stand [Pre-Chorus] The ringmaster smiled with a velvet knife said, burn brighter, darling that’s a beautiful life But the fire grew wide while I vanished low [Chorus] I swallowed sparks to make them stars I swallowed sparks and lost my heart Applause tastes sweet until it tastes of smoke (applause tastes sweet) until it takes your throat [Bridge] Burnout is not the fire getting bigger it’s the heart that stops the trigger I kept the flame alive and let myself go cold I kept the flame alive and let myself go— [Final Chorus] I swallowed sparks to make them stars I swallowed sparks and lost my heart What warmed me once now eats the air (stars to smoke) I’m still right there
