[Verse 1: Marla Hansen]
The wise one sat with me
Her legs crossed left over the right one
She said, "You know, my girl, that you're a private creeper
What you need to say you're gonna say alone"

[Verse 2: Marla Hansen]
I carried that with me through speeches
And hardly scratched the surface
Ashamed to think that they don't feel as much as I do
She said, "When I pray for him, I'll pray alone"

[Chorus: Marla Hansen & Sufjan Stevens]
Of all the things I never told you
This is the lump in my throat
No matter who had come a-callin'
I would have stayed with you

[Verse 3: Marla Hansen]
I forced myself to sit
My hands folded left over the right one
And when it's done my friends
We all walk out together into the waiting cold
I am hollow and bold

[Verse 4: Marla Hansen]
We all go out to eat
Because it's what he would have wanted
And I'm so grateful for the ones he brought together
And the stories they tell that we all know so well
[Verse 5: Marla Hansen]
But later in my room
I turn the lights out and cover up the mirror
I light a candle for my dear departed teacher
And what I needed to say, now, I can say alone

[Chorus: Marla Hansen & Sufjan Stevens]
Of all the things I never told you
This is the lump in my throat
No matter who had come a-callin'
I would have stayed with you