[Verse 1] I missed the signs you sent Left them on the table Said I had time to change Like time was mine to keep I fed the easy lie Told myself “tomorrow” Now I count the doors I closed And all the keys I kept [Pre-Chorus] If I had turned around If I had stayed awake If I had said the truth Before it was too late [Chorus] I could have been better I could have been more (too late, too late) I could have been better Right down to the core (too late, too late) And now I hold the ghost Of who I thought I'd be I could have been better I could have been me [Verse 2] I wore the same old hurt Like it was protection Kept my hands in my pockets Kept my heart in chains You asked me for my best I gave you my excuses Now the room feels full of me And none of it's the same [Pre-Chorus] If I had faced the mirror If I had said my name If I had done the hard thing Before it turned to shame [Chorus] I could have been better I could have been more (too late, too late) I could have been better Right down to the core (too late, too late) And now I hold the ghost Of who I thought I'd be I could have been better I could have been me [Bridge] What if I was brave When it still was small? What if I could forgive The boy behind it all? I still hear that version Knocking at my door Not asking for perfection Just to try once more [Final Chorus] I could have been better I could have been more (too late, too late) I could have been better Right down to the core (too late, too late) And if I can't go back I'll still begin with me I could have been better But I can still be free
