[Verse 1] Sincere regret On the back of my hand A desire to change Couldn’t even stand Your eyes So tired and sharp You said “Say it plain Or tear us apart” [Pre-Chorus] I choke on excuses Bile on my tongue You’re counting the times I’ve already run [Chorus] True contrition has to be displayed Not a promise that I’ll change someday So I’m breaking in the daylight Bleeding in the same fight If it saves us Let it stain my face If you doubt it I will stay I’ll stay Every ugly thing I’ve done Laid bare I won’t look away [Verse 2] I scrub the plates Till my fingers burn red Small stupid chores For the wars in my head I leave my phone Turned off in the drawer So nothing can pull Me out through that door [Pre-Chorus] Your jacket hangs heavy By the front hall light You say “Don’t confess Then vanish tonight” [Chorus] True contrition has to leave a mark On my calm face On my guarded heart If I really changed Let the mask fall apart If you doubt it I will stay I’ll stay Every foolish thing I’ve done Laid bare I won’t look away [Bridge] (I'll stand in the flood) Let it wash my pride Let the truth rise up In my bloodshot eyes If I say I'm sorry Make it cost me something Make it stain my tongue Make it sting Make it sting [Chorus] True contrition has to be displayed On the way you move On the words you say If you’re really here Don’t you look away If you’re staying Let your whole heart shake If you doubt it I will stay I’ll stay Every twisted thing I’ve done Laid bare I won’t look away [Bridge] I won’t hide in clever lines (no more) Won’t dress my damage up in style (no more) Penitent in the mess I made Till your breathing starts to soften Till your shoulders finally drop Till forgiveness becomes an option
