Redemption for Us

Songtext

[Verse 1] I heard the song she wrote you, I heard her say your name Like keeping it inside much longer Would’ve hurt more than explaining. And I won’t say she’s crazy, I won’t pretend I don’t understand, Because I know the things about you That could make somebody fall that fast. But somewhere in the middle, Hearing someone else love you, I started thinking about us— Not just what I did, But everything we’ve been through. Because we didn’t get here From one mistake or one bad night. There were things I should’ve done better. There were things you didn’t do right. And I’m not rewriting history Just because I’m scared of losing you. I can own the ways I hurt you Without carrying yours too. [Pre-Chorus] That’s what I finally understand— Redemption isn’t taking every blame. It’s looking straight at what was broken And admitting where you helped make it that way. [Chorus] So if there’s anything left, Anything under the wreckage, Any part of us worth saving After everything that happened— Let’s not lie about it. Let’s not make one of us the cause. We both loved each other imperfectly. We both crossed lines and got lost. And she can sing that she loves you, And maybe every word is true, But hearing somebody else say it Made me remember what I still feel for you. I’m not asking for forgiveness Like I’m standing here on trial. I’m asking if two people who hurt each other Could finally love each other right. [Verse 2] I know I’ve been defensive. I know fear has made me run. I know sometimes I’ve shut you out When I should’ve let you in. I know there were moments You needed more than I could give. And there are things I’d take back If going backward ever existed. But you weren’t always gentle. You weren’t always there. There were times I needed reassurance And found silence waiting instead. So no— I won’t make you the villain. But I won’t make myself one too. There are scars on both our hands From everything we put each other through. [Pre-Chorus] Maybe growing up is knowing Two things can both be true: I could’ve loved you better, And I deserved better from you too. [Chorus] So if there’s anything left, Anything under the wreckage, Any part of us worth saving After everything that happened— Let’s not lie about it. Let’s not make one of us the cause. We both loved each other imperfectly. We both crossed lines and got lost. And she can sing that she loves you, And maybe every word is true, But hearing somebody else say it Made me remember what I still feel for you. [Bridge] And Jenna— I heard you. I heard the feeling underneath it. I heard the courage in the words. And I’m not angry that you love him. Love doesn’t ask permission first. You didn’t create the history between us, And you didn’t create the hurt. But hearing you say it out loud Put something right in front of me: There are things I still want with him I’m finally brave enough to see. Not because somebody wants him. Not because I’m scared to lose. You sang about loving him now. And it reminded me I never stopped. [Breakdown] Jed, I’m not coming to you With my head hanging down. I’m not saying I ruined everything. I didn’t. Neither did you. We were two complicated people Trying to love each other While carrying things Neither one of us knew how to hold. I know my part. I won’t minimize it. I won’t excuse it. I won’t repeat it. But I need you to know yours too. Because redemption Cannot mean me becoming smaller So you can forgive me. It has to mean Both of us becoming better If we ever choose this again. [Final Chorus] So if there’s anything left, Even something barely breathing, I don’t need guarantees. I need honesty and a reason to believe it. I’ll own mine. You own yours. And maybe somewhere in the middle We find what all this pain was for. And if she really loves you, I won’t call her feelings wrong. But her loving you Doesn’t erase the life You and I have lived this long. This isn’t me claiming you. This isn’t me begging you to choose. This is me standing in the truth Of what we both stand to lose. I don’t want our old love back. Too many things went unsaid. I want the version where I can say, “I’m sorry,” Without meaning, “It was all my fault.” Where you can say, “You hurt me,” And still admit You hurt me too. Maybe redemption Isn’t crawling back To what we used to be. Maybe it’s both of us deciding We’re finally ready To love differently. [Outro] I heard the song she wrote you. I listened all the way through. And it didn’t make me hate her. It made me think about me and you. Not who was innocent. Not who was wrong. Just whether there’s still enough of us left To write another song.