The Red-Haired Woman

Lyrics

[Verse 1] She works the corner booth by the window every Friday night Copper hair tied loose, catching fire in the diner light She laughs at something small and turns that smile my way I carry that moment home and hide it through the day I know the brand of coffee that she orders when it rains The little silver ring she spins whenever she feels strange I’m the man who fixes fences, pays his bills, and says he’s fine But every road I take runs straight into her eyes [Pre-Chorus] She says my name like it belongs somewhere close I say hers in the truck where nobody knows [Chorus] I’m secretly in love with you God, I wish you knew what I can’t say You smile at me and I come undone Then watch you walk away You’re the red-haired woman in my every prayer The one I want, the one I’m scared to lose If your heart could lean this way just once I’d spend my whole life choosing you [Verse 2] Last summer by the river, you got caught beneath the rain I gave you my old jacket, tried to hide my hands from shaking You thanked me on the porch and brushed a raindrop from your cheek I wanted to tell the truth, but fear had made me weak Your friends talk about a future, somebody steady and kind I nod along politely while you stay on my mind There’s a photograph you posted tucked behind my license card A foolish little secret, but it’s the truest thing I guard [Pre-Chorus] You ask me why I never bring somebody home I laugh and say I’m better off alone [Chorus] I’m secretly in love with you God, I wish you knew what I can’t say You smile at me and I come undone Then watch you walk away You’re the red-haired woman in my every prayer The one I want, the one I’m scared to lose If your heart could lean this way just once I’d spend my whole life choosing you [Bridge] Maybe I’m a coward, maybe timing tells the truth Maybe all this silence is a lie I built for you But tonight when you look over, I won’t turn my face away I’ll let the words come trembling, whatever they may say [Final Chorus] I’m secretly in love with you But I’m done hiding what I feel You smile at me and I come undone So tell me if it’s real You’re the red-haired woman in my every prayer The one I’ve wanted all these years If your heart could lean this way just once I’d trade my certainty for tears [Outro] She smiles at me, I take a breath And step across the distance left