"Grace Notes" lyrics - IRON & WINE

When I was wandering anywhere I could
Far beyond the riverbank, deeper than the woods
When my naked eye said, "I'm gonna find you"
The night sky was nothing but stars
When it's all I can manage, despite how I try
When somebody's looking where I like to hide
I remember the moon while I swim along the bottom
When I trust you, it isn't too hard

When I could give away everything I had
Leave a whole dream in a brown paper bag
When the time went by, it said, "Man, that was easy"
Like honey was laid in my hand
When I lie to myself, or I'm honest at best
Or sell my whole story till none of it's left
When the sun goes down like promises matter
When that's something I understand

When the ghost I like to deny
Has haunted me all of my life
Singing all its songs in my corners and cobwebs
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone

When I was being it, whatever it was
So brave or broken, but only just enough
When my self-respect cackled, "What were you thinking?"
Until it walked off the edge of the world
When I kiss on a stone like they all roll away
Or call upon my demons when I don't want to play
When I think of a cost like light from a diamond
Like freedom, feeling a pearl

When the garden I've watered with tears
Is beautiful this time of year
And all the blossoms fall when their petals get heavy
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone

[Instrumental break]

[Bridge:]
The ghost you like to deny
Haunts you the rest of your life

When I would say it, though no one was around
Or cry like some children at a carnival clown
Forever was a word like a name in the sidewalk
Or the wind blowing open a door

When I make what I'm missing or claim what I stole
Or live like I'm digging just for filling in a hole
When I lose so much, I just burst into laughter
Like someone who knows what it's for

When the day I pray never comes
Presses me under its thumb
When all this water flows, and every wave makes an ocean
When I let them follow me home
When there's so many homes that I've known
So many lives that love has given me
Grace notes with meat on the bone