Met you on my way up All scuffed shoes And chipped paint You said "I'm here to save you" I said "I'm late" You held out your hands like rungs Promised me a better view You wanted to show me the cathedral I just wanted the roof Babe You ain't nothin' but a ladder to me Something I climb Then leave behind You keep asking "What are we?" I'm just reaching higher this time Could be cruel Might be mean But you were never a home You were a means You ain't nothin' but a ladder to me ...And I'm climbin' You measure steps I take, Praise the progress that I make Keep receipts of little sacrifices Like I’m supposed to stay. You say, “Jump, I'll catch you,” But you're bolted to the wall I don’t need you at the bottom I just need you to grow tall. [rap Bridge] Yeah, I know I'm the asshole in the story Too busy chasing shine to see your glory I used your heart like a stairway, that's on me Left you in the dust while I was reaching for the ceiling I wear my hunger like it makes me holy But all it really does is make me lonely So if I'm honest, baby, let me say it plain: I climbed right over you and called it nothin' but gain Babe You ain't nothin' but a ladder to me Something I climb Then leave behind You keep asking "What are we?" I'm just reaching higher this time Could be cruel Might be mean But you were never home You were a means You ain't nothin' but a ladder to me ...And I'm climbin' If it helps you sleep Pretend I fell for you Pretend I stayed there halfway up Cuz that was all I could do But you built yourself in my way And one way or another I'm gettin' through Babe, You were nothin’ but a ladder to me, Something I climb, then leave behind. No need to keep askin’, “What are we?” You know I’m reachin’ higher this time. Call me cold, But cut it clean — You were never home, You were an in-between. You were just a ladder to me (...Just a ladder to me...) Ain't saying sorry....
