Elliott Smith
True Love
True love is a rose
Behind glass
That's locked and kept closed
Maybe just to me
'Cause my heart's been attacked
And shattered by tough love
Bad love

So I bought mine off the street
True love, man, it just can't be beat
I felt so complete
Married to heavenly bodies above
And each night I'd look up
At a bright honey moon

'Cause it sure seemed built to last
And even after my honeymoon passed
I kept right with it, man
Like a ghost to a house it once haunted

And day after day
I'd steal with my true love away
To some hideout
We're left undisturbed
We could do what we wanted
But I started to feel like a liar
Saying I love you
She was madly in love or mad mean
There was no in between
It raised my alarm
I found I can't make a stand
I'm her hired hand
I have to do harm

One day I got sick
She played me a nasty old trick
Said, "I need cigarettes"
Walked 'round the block
Caught a cab
Stayed gone for too long
My love had gotten so strong
Just to try being back on my own
I had to go to rehab

All I need is a safe place to bleed
Is this where it's at?
Half of no chance
Steps in a dance
Rest of my life spent in combat

Now I'm the king of the ward
'Cause I'm good and I swallow my sword
And puke it out for the doctor
To write me a new prescription
Tranquil as a dove
People that have lost their true love
They all seem to fit the same description
I feel cold, useless and old
I wish I was no one

Take me up, my Lord
Take me up today
Take me out of this place
Take me up with you today