If I Were Brave

Shawn Colvin

All the happy couples on their way to New Orleans



Reminding me of when we got along



They're only renting time and space to fill up with their dreams



And dreams are what they'll have when they have gone



How could it be that I was born without a clue to carry on



And still it is the same now I am older



Armed with just a will and then this love for singing songs



And minding less and less if I am colder




But I have this funny ache and it's burning in my chest



And it spreads just like a fire inside my body



Is it something God left out in my spirit or my flesh



Would I be saved if I were brave and had a baby




It was never clear what would come but that's the risk and that's the test



And you were the only one so far to follow



And no one talks about when one might stop and need to rest



Or how long you sit alone before you stop looking back



It's like you're waiting for Godot



And then you pick your sorry ass up off the street and



Go...




And what the hell is this? Who made this bloody mess?



And someone always answers like a martyr



Is it something you should know, did you never do your best



Would you be saved if you were brave and just tried harder




So now I ride the ought one thirtyfive to New Orleans



I float a mile above life's toil and trouble



A thousand lonely lifetimes I still wait and then go on



A clown to entertain the happy couples