Paper Tiger - If & When lyrics

*The echoic vocals in the background are listed in parentheses [Verse 1: Dessa] (I'm still) This room gets smaller with every coat of paint Nobody ever got better this way, hey, hey (I'm still, hey, hey) It's been two mean seasons They say you won't come back They say a girl who's decent Would long be in her blacks by now But I'm no young widow Like they're calling me in town I'll leave the light on in your window If I have to burn the whole thing down [Hook: Dessa] And I, (I'm staying) I'd stop, (waiting) But the pilot light's the only guide to call you home And I, (I'm staying) I'd stop, (waiting) But the pilot light's the only beacon in the snow [Verse 2: Dessa] After they turned the power out After the candle sticks burned down I burned the furniture, the picture frames, all the fabric in the house I turned to photographs Your voice came through the cold Last words you said to soothe my nervousness "Keep one light on, I'll always find my way" I tore the Pages from your books Wallpaper down And then I took myself upstairs And your straight razor to my braids [Hook] [Verse 3: Dessa] When I exhausted all the tinder The house was dark for days Since I thought to remove the oven door I've been kneeling here to guard this flame The neighbors have stopped calling Now their children come throw stones And the papers from the bankers Say they doubt you're coming home They found a man you know A drifter in the barn last year While I was sleeping Must have made it to the house– They found him frozen in your clothing, dear [Hook]