Lyrics

Verse 1

You told me the street was straight You told me the card was right You said the crowd would part for us You said Maria would be fine

Chorus

I be-I be-I be-I believed The credo was the blade you gave I be-I be-I be-I believed The blade was what I carried for you

Verse 2

James coughed through February You said the toner was within limits Ruth cooked on a hot plate on the third floor I walked past her every Tuesday

Chorus

I be-I be-I be-I believed The credo was the blade you gave I be-I be-I be-I believed The blade was what I carried for you

Bridge

(silence - all instruments stop) (spoken, whispered) Ruth knocked on my door. She said: you look like you're carrying something. I said: I'm fine. She said: no you're not. I- The hand opens. I give. To them.

Chorus

I gi-I gi-I gi-I give The blade back - not to you I gi-I gi-I gi-I give Maria, James, and Ruth

Outro

(whispered, band gone) Maria - I say her name. James - I say his name. Ruth said no you're not. The blade is given. I give.