Room to Be Me

I used to take the long way home, Keep the radio turned high. You’d ask me what was on my mind; I’d say, “Nothing. I’m all right.” You’d be standing in the kitchen, I’d be halfway down the hall. You knew how I took my coffee, But I kept the hurt behind a wall.

Then you said, “I’m getting lonely, And you’re sitting next to me.” I put down what I was doing. You had finally gotten through to me.

You give me room to be me, Even when I come undone. I don’t have to have the answers; I don’t have to be the strong one. I kept looking for my freedom Somewhere down another road. Then you held me while I told you What I’d carried on my own. You give me room to be me, And a place to call my home.

One night I came home early, Found you sitting on the stairs. You said, “Today was heavy.” I sat down beside you there. Didn’t try to make it better, Didn’t tell you what to do. You leaned into my shoulder; I stayed till you were through.

Then you asked, “How was your day?” And I almost said, “Just fine.” But your hand was resting in mine, So I told you about mine.

You give me room to be me, Even when I come undone. I don’t have to have the answers; I don’t have to be the strong one. I kept looking for my freedom Somewhere down another road. Then you held me while I told you What I’d carried on my own. You give me room to be me, And a place to call my home.

You said, “I miss the ocean. I haven’t seen it in so long.” I’d heard that wish a hundred times And let the moment move along. This time I said, “Let’s make it happen. We could leave on Friday night.” You smiled and took the weekend off; I got the car packed Thursday night.

With your bare feet on the dashboard, You were singing out of tune. I turned the music louder And sang every word with you.

You give me room to be me; I want to give that back to you. Let you tell me what you’re dreaming, Make some room to see it through. We can take the road together, We can spend some time alone. We can stand beside the ocean, We can dance when we get home. You give me room to be me, And I love who you get to be. There’s a whole life here between us, And room for you and me.

Leave those dishes till the morning. Come outside a while with me. You slip your hand inside my jacket, And we stand beneath the trees. You ask me what I’m thinking. I say, “Right here’s where I want to be.” You give me room to be me. There’s room for you and me.