[Verse 1] I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. I brought a map to find her heart; She drew a little X and said, “You shan't.” I wore my lucky Sunday shoes, And stepped right in a puddle's plan. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. [Chorus] I think I can, I think I can, I’ve got a pocketful of nerve. She says, “You can’t,” I tip my hat, And ask her what I don’t deserve. I’m a bent-up dime in a wishing well, Still making change wherever I land. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can’t. [Verse 2] She’s got a laugh like Sunday lunch, And eyes that keep the books in ink. I told her I could fix the sink; The faucet answered with a drink. I tightened bolts with all my might, Then watched the kitchen take a stand. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. [Chorus] I think I can, I think I can, I’ve got a pocketful of nerve. She says, “You can’t,” I tip my hat, And ask her what I don’t deserve. I’m a bent-up dime in a wishing well, Still making change wherever I land. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can’t. [Verse 3] I promised her a home-cooked feast, A five-star spread on one tin plate. The beans were fine, the toast was coal, The smoke alarm announced it late. She said, “That’s brave,” and ate a bite; I called it “rustic,” shook her hand. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. [Verse 4] I tried to write a tender note, But every rhyme came out too proud. I wrote, “You’re sweeter than a peach,” Then spilled my coffee on it—loud. She read the stain like tea leaves read, And said, “Your heart’s a marching band.” I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. [Bridge] Maybe I’m a screen door in a gale, A paper hat in a thunderstorm. But every time I start to fail, She grins and keeps the kitchen warm. If love’s a test with missing clues, I’ll guess again, and take my stand. I think I can, I think I can, Though she says she knows I can’t. [Verse 5] We took a drive to see the lake, I missed the turn and found a fair. She won a bear with one short toss; I won a funnel cake to share. The prize rode shotgun all the way, Like it was hired as our band. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can't. [Chorus] I think I can, I think I can, I’ve got a pocketful of nerve. She says, “You can’t,” I tip my hat, And ask her what I don’t deserve. I’m a bent-up dime in a wishing well, Still making change wherever I land. I think I can, I think I can, But she says she knows I can’t. [Verse 6] She says I dance like folding chairs That learned to wobble in the sun. I say that’s just a private style; She says, “Then keep it, hon.” But when the fiddle finds a step, She takes my hand and makes a plan. I think I can, I think I can, And now she says, “Well, maybe you can.” [Outro] I think I can, I think I can, With one good grin and half a plan. She says she knows I can’t—then laughs, And lets me try again, old man. I’m a bent-up dime in a wishing well, Still making change wherever I land. I think I can, I think I can… And she says, “You just might, if you can.” [instrumental] She says, “You just might, if you can.” [fade to end] “You just might, if you can.” [end]
