Jeremy Loves Tom

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Jeremy keeps Tom’s old coat by the door Though Tom left it there last spring He knows the coffee Tom orders by heart And the small song he hums when he thinks At the corner café, they talk till it’s late Tom tells him about someone new Jeremy smiles like the news doesn’t hurt Then walks home with the words he can’t use [Pre-Chorus] He’s learned how to stand close And keep his hands still While every small kindness Means more than it will [Chorus] Jeremy loves Tom, but Tom doesn’t love him Not the way Jeremy wishes he would Tom says, “You’re my friend,” and Jeremy says, “I know” Like knowing could make it feel good He keeps a place for Tom in his heart Though Tom has no room there to spare Jeremy loves Tom, and Tom doesn’t love him And the truth follows both of them everywhere [Verse 2] Tom calls on Sunday to talk about work Jeremy lets every minute run long He asks if Tom’s happy; Tom says, “I think so” Jeremy says, “Then I’m glad,” and sounds strong There’s a photo from last winter’s party Tom laughing with his hand on his sleeve Jeremy turns it face down on the shelf Then turns it back up before he can leave [Pre-Chorus] He’s learned how to stand close And keep his hands still While every small kindness Means more than it will [Chorus] Jeremy loves Tom, but Tom doesn’t love him Not the way Jeremy wishes he would Tom says, “You’re my friend,” and Jeremy says, “I know” Like knowing could make it feel good He keeps a place for Tom in his heart Though Tom has no room there to spare Jeremy loves Tom, and Tom doesn’t love him And the truth follows both of them everywhere [Bridge] One night Jeremy says it plainly Tom listens, then looks down “I care for you, just not that way” No cruel word, no easy way out Jeremy nods, and thanks him for telling Though his voice breaks on the final sound [Final Chorus] Jeremy loves Tom, but Tom doesn’t love him Not the way Jeremy wishes he would Tom says, “I’m sorry,” and Jeremy says, “I know” Though knowing still doesn’t feel good He’ll make a little room in his heart For a life that can meet him halfway Jeremy loves Tom, but Tom doesn’t love him And tomorrow, he’ll try anyway [Outro] Jeremy walks home alone With Tom’s old coat by the door He can love him and still let go He can’t keep waiting anymore