Crybaby with a Paper Crown

Intro

la-la-late bell (ring-ring), paper cuts and sugar lips

smudged mascara moon, tic-tac-tick of classroom clocks

(say my name, say my name)

Verse

I keep my crayons in a jar like secrets, bright and brittle

blue for the bruise I hide, pink for the plastic little

smile on my lunchbox says, "be good, don't cry"

I draw a crown with a broken pen and tuck the truth inside

detention stars on my chest, glitter that won't wash away

teacher writes "too loud" on my dreams in red, then looks away

I raise my hand for band-aids, they hand me algebra

counting down the minutes till the after-school arena

Pre-chorus

whispered homework prayers (please, please)

lace my shoes with lullabies (oh-oh)

they trade candy for my calm, trade coins for my smile

I keep swallowing the chalk and pretend it tastes like style

Chorus

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

after-school parade of lost and found (oh-oh)

puff of frosting on a lid of frown (uh-huh)

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

Verse

Aftercare theatrics, we rehearse our scars in line

playground princes slit their promises with twine

I braid my feelings into ribbons, tie them to a swing

push and pull like push-up braids, the carousel won't sting

report card says "creative" but my veins are full of glue

sticker on my forehead says "redeem me," looks brand new

I trade my reflection for a Polaroid with missing frames

smile for the camera, then erase my name

Pre-chorus

chalk dust in my throat (ah-ah)

napkin castles, tiny boats (sail, sail)

they clap for make-believe, then fold me up and file

I pretend I'm paper-perfect while it rips along the aisle

Chorus

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

after-school parade of lost and found (oh-oh)

puff of frosting on a lid of frown (uh-huh)

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

Bridge

(na-na, na-na)

Late night locker whispers, lullabies on loop

I tie a ribbon 'round the things that try to make me stoop

I lick a stamp and send my secrets to the moon (uh-huh)

it comes back smiling with my name in silver glue

(ta-ta-touch) I press my palm against the mirror glass

it fogs, it clears, it says I'm allowed to pass

but the hall monitor is waiting with a jar of spare applause

and I'm still learning how to settle down the cause

Chorus

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

after-school parade of lost and found (oh-oh)

puff of frosting on a lid of frown (uh-huh)

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

I'm a crybaby with a paper crown (crybaby, crybaby)

Outro

(la-la-late bell)