[Verse 1] [clear, natural female vocal; conversational phrasing; steady] When are you supposed to learn to love? I was promised once But after cold suppers, night after night A hot back of the hand if I wasn't right Falling asleep to the sounds of a fight The same ragged book by a dim little light Love was never lent to me [Chorus] [fuller melodic delivery; emotional weight increases; strong sustained notes] When you are young, you can't make your own Imagination only takes you so far If it was never put in my heart How was I to know just where to start? [Verse 2] [return to the natural conversational delivery; slightly more weary] Someone tried to share what they felt I was eager for any chance We wandered together down that lane But in the end I found only pain Love would not plant the seed I could not say what I need I didn't know what love was for [Chorus] [fuller melodic delivery; emotional weight increases; strong sustained notes] When you are young, you can't make your own Imagination only takes you so far If it was never put in my heart How was I to know just where to start? [Verse 3] [lower register; more detached and matter-of-fact; let the words carry the emotion] Where did it go? Where had it been? They say time will tell and time will teach Love still stayed far from my reach Every wrong thing, and one of each And nothing I knew how to keep [Bridge] [vocal becomes more exposed and questioning; gradually increase intensity] Will there ever be a light? My own small beacon of hope With no measure of what is right How do you learn how to cope? Do I just give up the fight? With nothing to follow into the night [Final Chorus] [strongest vocal performance of the song; full emotional release while remaining melodic and controlled] When you are young, you can't make your own Imagination only takes you so far If it was never put in my heart How was I to know just where to start? Was I to search it out All I find is doubt Where was the yearning I should be burning Can't tell the fire, From a funeral pyre [Outro] [return to a simple, natural vocal; tired and resigned; slight breathiness is acceptable here] I've found that I'm not alone Cold comfort When the room goes quiet That's the only part I know how to start
