[Verse 1] You wore that grin like lace Tea in a painted cup Sweet words on your tongue While you were stirring me up Your nails on the table Tap-tap, like a threat You said, “I’m being nice” Then you bit me yet [Pre-Chorus] Polite at the door Cold in the hall You move like a saint Then you break the wall [Chorus] Civilized venom Civilized venom Smile so clean While you pull me under Civilized venom Civilized venom Soft on the skin But it cuts like thunder [Verse 2] You left a note in ink Folded by the sink Said, “Don’t make this ugly” Then you made me think Of sugar on your breath And the bruise in your eye You kept your voice so even That’s how I knew the lie [Pre-Chorus] Polite at the door Cold in the hall You move like a saint Then you break the wall [Chorus] Civilized venom Civilized venom Smile so clean While you pull me under Civilized venom Civilized venom Soft on the skin But it cuts like thunder [Final Chorus] Civilized venom Civilized venom Smile so clean While you pull me under Civilized venom Civilized venom Soft on the skin But it cuts like thunder Civilized venom Civilized venom I learned the shape Of your pretty disaster
