[Verse 1] Quarter past five in the driveway With my spikes beside the seat Dad was scraping ice off windows I was counting down the meet I'd been running through the winter I'd been lifting after class Nobody could lend me seconds Nobody could run my laps [Verse 2] They sat down to explain it With a slideshow and a smile Called a sex-based girls' division "An idea that's out of style" I asked, "If sex means nothing, Why'd we need our own race?" They said, "Let's talk about your attitude." I said, "Let's talk about my place." [Chorus] Girls' sports, grown-up excuses All that talking from the stands Girls deserve a fair division, Not another change of plans I can lose and shake your hand I can win and keep it kind But don't ask me to prove my heart By surrendering the line [Verse 3] There's a girl who wants a college chance A name upon a team There's a kid with borrowed running shoes And a coach who backs her dream She shouldn't have to make a speech To keep the race she trained to run Let the grown-ups write their essays ... She's got miles left in the sun [Chorus] Girls' sports, grown-up excuses All that talking from the stands Girls deserve a fair division, Not another change of plans I can lose and shake your hand I can win and keep it kind But don't ask me to prove my heart By surrendering the line [Verse 4] The Lord who made me knows my name Before the starting gun My worth was never hanging On the ribbon that I won He can teach me how to love you And still speak the truth out loud I can trust Him with my future ... I don't have to please the crowd [Bridge] Love can stand beside a boundary Truth can speak without a sneer Girls don't need another lecture ... They need grown-ups who can hear [Final Chorus] Girls' sports, grown-up excuses All that talking from the stands Girls deserve a fair division, Not another change of plans I can lose and shake your hand I can win and keep it kind But don't ask me to prove my heart By surrendering the line [Outro] Keep the speeches in the bleachers ... I've got a race to run.
