You run yourself ragged tryin' to be strong You feel bad when you done nothin' wrong
Love got all confused with anger and pride So much abuse on such a little child
Someone you trusted told you to shut up Now there's a pain in your gut that you can't get rid of
No one heard your screams when you were nine When bad dreams filled your summertime
So you don't always show your sweet side ...
You're tough as steel and you keep your chin up You don't ever feel like you're good enough
You've had the blues ever since you were six Your little tennis shoes and your pick-up sticks
You were screamed at and kicked over and over Now you always feel sick and you can't keep a lover
Every Christmas there were presents to unwrap But the things you witnessed when you were five and a half
So you don't always show your sweet side ...
Someone deserted you, the damage is done Now you don't deserve to be loved by no one
Hands that would feed you when you were two Were the same hands that beat you black and blue
You get defensive at every turn You're overly sensitive and overly concerned
Few precious memories no lullabies Hollowed out centuries of lies
So you don't always show your sweet side ...
I've seen you in the kitchen cookin' me supper I listened to you bitchin' I watched you suffer
I still love you baby 'cause I know you Don't mean to do the cruel things you do
I've seen you throwin' up when your stomach hurt
I'll stick by you baby through thick and thin No matter what kind of shape you're in
'Cause I've seen your sweet side ... More from Lucinda Williams