I never knew the love a mother gives, I grew up fists clenched, winter in my chest. All through my childhood I stood my own guard, So I learned to hold no one, learned not to rest. They let me believe every tie comes undone, That the ones that you love always leave in the end. [Pre-Chorus] Then you came into this world and I swore an oath — Keep her far from my wounds. Raise her whole. [Chorus] I wanted to shield you from all that broke me, I gave you my strength, my nights, my years. But for all of my arms, for all of my prayers, You still knew the absence, the anger, the fear. Forgive me if my choices dug the distance, I was only trying to save your childhood. And even if you don't hear me like before — I love you still. I love you as I always could. [Verse 2] You saw the hard years walk into our home, Doors and silences too heavy to hold. Then your father left and took his face with him, And the leaving washed up on another shore. My fear of failing to keep you standing Made me hand you on, just trying to keep you safe. But the very thing I meant to spare you Was the thing you had to walk straight through. I wanted to shield you from all that broke me, I gave you my strength, my nights, my years. But for all of my arms, for all of my prayers, You still knew the absence, the anger, the fear. Forgive me if my choices dug the distance, I was only trying to save your childhood. And even if you don't hear me like before — I love you still. I love you as I always could. [Bridge] Between us today a canyon has risen, And every day that passes holds my heart in a fist. Maybe I chose wrong. Maybe I was wrong. But I never once stopped reaching for your peace. Fear of not protecting you drove every step — I wanted you close, clumsy as I was. [Verse 3] Today you're a mother in your own right, And I know you carry detours of your own. Your anger has kept me outside of your life, But I keep watch in silence, I make no sound. I stay back, somewhere in the shadow, Forcing no door, adding no weight to your darker days. [Final Chorus] I wanted to shield you from all that broke me, I gave you my strength, my nights, my years. But for all of my arms, for all of my prayers, You still knew the absence, the anger, the fear. Forgive me if my choices dug the distance, I was only trying to save your childhood. And even if you don't hear me like before — I love you still. I love you as I always could.I wanted to shield you from all that broke me, I gave you my strength, my nights, my years. But for all of my arms, for all of my prayers, You still knew the absence, the anger, the fear. Forgive me if my choices dug the distance, I was only trying to save your childhood. And even if you don't hear me like before — I love you still. I love you as I always could. Bridge I'm proud of the woman that you have become, Proud of the mother this world came to know. Proud of your fights, of all that you've built — That woman of business walking on through the rain Carolanne. And even if our roads run apart, My love never learned how to fade. And if one day you can hear my voice — Know, my daughter, I will always be there. [Outro] I love you in the silence, I love you straight through, I love you since the day you changed my days. My daughter, whatever comes, wherever you go, A part of my heart walks on with you. CAROLANNE.
