FOLKLORE — Hello

Folklore (released July 24, 2020)

the 1

I'm doing good, I'm on some new shit

Been saying "yes" instead of "no"

I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though

I hit the ground running each night

I hit the Sunday matinee

You know the greatest films of all time were never made

I guess you never know, never know

And if you wanted me, you really should've showed

And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow

And it's alright now

But we were something, don't you think so?

Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool

And if my wishes came true

It would've been you

In my defense, I have none

For never leaving well enough alone

But it would've been fun

If you would've been the one

I have this dream you're doing cool shit

Having adventures on your own

You meet some woman on the Internet and take her home

We never painted by the numbers, baby

But we were making it count

You know the greatest loves of all time are over now

I guess you never know, never know

And it's another day, waking up alone

But we were something, don't you think so?

Roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool

And if my wishes came true

It would've been you

In my defense, I have none

For never leaving well enough alone

But it would've been fun

If you would've been the one

Hey, yeah-yeah

I persist and resist the temptation to ask you

If one thing had been different

Would everything be different today?

We were something, don't you think so?

Rosé flowing with your chosen family

And it would've been sweet

If it could've been me

In my defense, I have none

For digging up the grave another time

But it would've been fun

If you would've been the one

cardigan

Vintage tee, brand new phone

High heels on cobblestones

When you are young, they assume you know nothing

Sequin smile, black lipstick

Sensual politics

When you are young, they assume you know nothing

But I knew you

Dancing in your Levi's

Drunk under a streetlight, I

I knew you

Hand under my sweatshirt

Baby, kiss it better, I

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone's bed

You put me on and said I was your favorite

A friend to all is a friend to none

Chase two girls, lose the one

When you are young, they assume you know nothing

But I knew you

Playing hide-and-seek and

Giving me your weekends

I, I knew you

Your heartbeat on the High Line

Once in twenty lifetimes, I

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone's bed

You put me on and said I was your favorite

To kiss in cars and downtown bars

Was all we needed

You drew stars around my scars

But now I'm bleeding

'Cause I knew you

Stepping on the last train

Marked me like a bloodstain, I

I knew you

Tried to change the ending

Peter losing Wendy

I, I knew you

Leaving like a father

Running like water, I

And when you are young, they assume you know nothing

But I knew you'd linger like a tattoo kiss

I knew you'd haunt all of my what-ifs

The smell of smoke would hang around this long

'Cause I knew everything when I was young

I knew I'd curse you for the longest time

Chasing shadows in the grocery line

I knew you'd miss me once the thrill expired

And you'd be standing in my front porch light

And I knew you'd come back to me

You'd come back to me

And you'd come back to me

And you'd come back

And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone's bed

You put me on and said I was your favorite

the last great american dynasty

Rebekah rode up on the afternoon train, it was sunny

Her saltbox house on the coast took her mind off St. Louis

Bill was the heir to the Standard Oil name and money

And the town said, "How did a middle-class divorcée do it?"

The wedding was charming, if a little gauche

There's only so far new money goes

They picked out a home and called it "Holiday House"

Their parties were tasteful, if a little loud

The doctor had told him to settle down

It must have been her fault his heart gave out

And they said, "There goes the last great American dynasty

Who knows, if she never showed up what could've been

There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen

She had a marvelous time ruining everything."

Rebekah gave up on the Rhode Island set forever

Flew in all her Bitch Pack friends from the city

Filled the pool with champagne and swam with the big names

And blew through the money on the boys and the ballet

And losing on card game bets with Dalí

And they said, "There goes the last great American dynasty

Who knows, if she never showed up, what could've been

There goes the most shameless woman this town has ever seen

She had a marvelous time ruining everything."

They say she was seen on occasion

Pacing the rocks staring out at the midnight sea

And in a feud with her neighbor

She stole his dog and dyed it key lime green

Fifty years is a long time

Holiday House sat quietly on that beach

Free of women with madness

Their men and bad habits, and then it was bought by me

Who knows, if I never showed up what could've been

There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen

I had a marvelous time ruining everything

I had a marvelous time

Ruining everything

A marvelous time

Ruining everything

A marvelous time

I had a marvelous time

exile (feat. Bon Iver)

I can see you standin', honey

With his arms around your body

Laughin' but the joke's not funny at all

And it took you five whole minutes

To pack us up and leave me with it

Holdin' all this love out here in the hall

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

You're not my homeland anymore

So what am I defendin' now?

You were my town

Now I'm in exile seein' you out

I think I've seen this film before

Hoo, hoo-ooh

I can see you starin', honey

Like he's just your understudy

Like you'd get your knuckles bloody for me

Second, third, and hundredth chances

Balancin' on breaking branches

Those eyes add insult to injury

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

I'm not your problem anymore

So who am I offending now?

You were my crown

Now I'm in exile seein' you out

I think I've seen this film before

So I'm leavin' out the side door

So step right out

There is no amount

Of cryin' I can do for you

All this time

We always walked a very thin line

You didn't even hear me out (You didn't even hear me out)

You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

All this time

I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)

I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)

'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

So many signs

So many signs (You didn't even see the signs)

I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

You're not my homeland anymore

So what am I defending now?

You were my town

Now I'm in exile seein' you out

I think I've seen this film before

So I'm leaving out the side door

So step right out

There is no amount

Of cryin' I can do for you

All this time

We always walked a very thin line

You didn't even hear me out (didn't even hear me out)

You never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

All this time

I never learned to read your mind (Never learned to read my mind)

I couldn't turn things around (You never turned things around)

'Cause you never gave a warning sign (I gave so many signs)

You never gave a warning sign (All this time)

(So many times) I never learned to read your mind

(So many signs) I couldn't turn things around (I couldn't turn things around)

'Cause you never gave a warning sign (You never gave a warning sign)

You never gave a warning sign

Ah, ah

my tears ricochet

We gather here

We line up weeping in a sunlit room

And if I'm on fire

You'll be made of ashes, too

Even on my worst day

Did I deserve, babe

All the hell you gave me?

'Cause I loved you

I swear I loved you

'Til my dying day

I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

And you're the hero flying around saving face

And if I'm dead to you why are you at the wake?

Cursing my name

Wishing I stayed

Look at how my tears ricochet

We gather stones

Never knowing what they'll mean

Some to throw

Some to make a diamond ring

You know I didn't want to

Have to haunt you

But what a ghostly scene

You wear the same jewels

That I gave you

As you bury me

I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

'Cause when I'd fight, you used to tell me I was brave

And if I'm dead to you why are you at the wake?

Cursing my name

Wishing I stayed

Look at how my tears ricochet

And I can go anywhere I want

Anywhere I want

Just not home

And you can aim for my heart, go for blood

But you would still miss me in your bones

And I still talk to you

When I'm screaming at the sky

And when you can't sleep at night

You hear my stolen lullabies

I didn't have it in myself to go with grace

And so the battleships will sink beneath the waves

You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same

Cursing my name

Wishing I stayed

You turned into your worst fears

And you're tossing out blame

Drunk on this pain

Crossing out the good years

And you're cursing my name

Wishing I stayed

Look at how my tears ricochet

mirrorball

I want you to know

I'm a mirrorball

I'll show you every version of yourself tonight

I'll get you out on the floor

Shimmering beautiful

And when I break it's in a million pieces

Hush

When no one is around, my dear

You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

Spinning in my highest heels, love

Shining just for you

Hush

I know they said the end is near

But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes

Spinning in my highest heels, love

Shining just for you

I want you to know

I'm a mirrorball

I can change everything about me to fit in

You are not like the regulars

The masquerade revelers

Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten

Hush

When no one is around, my dear

You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes

Spinning in my highest heels, love

Shining just for you

Hush

I know they said the end is near

But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes

Spinning in my highest heels, love

Shining just for you

And they called off the circus

Burned the disco down

When they sent home the horses

And the rodeo clowns

I'm still on that tightrope

I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me

I'm still a believer but I don't know why

I've never been a natural

All I do is try, try, try

I'm still on that trapeze

I'm still trying everything

To keep you looking at me

Because I'm a mirrorball

I'm a mirrorball

I'll show you every version of yourself

Tonight

seven

Please picture me

In the trees

I hit my peak at seven

Feet

In the swing

Over the creek

I was too scared to jump in, but I, I was high

In the sky

With Pennsylvania under me

Are there still beautiful things?

Sweet tea in the summer

Cross your heart, won't tell no other

And though I can't recall your face

I still got love for you

Your braids like a pattern

Love you to the moon and to Saturn

Passed down like folk songs

The love lasts so long

And I've been meaning to tell you

I think your house is haunted

Your dad is always mad and that must be why

And I think you should come live with

Me and we can be pirates

Then you won't have to cry

Or hide in the closet

And just like a folk song

Our love will be passed on

Please picture me

In the weeds

Before I learned civility

I used to scream

Ferociously

Any time I wanted

I, I

Sweet tea in the summer

Cross my heart, won't tell no other

And though I can't recall your face

I still got love for you

Pack your dolls and a sweater

We'll move to India forever

Passed down like folk songs

Our love lasts so long

august

Salt air

And the rust on your door

I never needed anything more

Whispers

Of "Are you sure?"

"Never have I ever before"

But I can see us

Lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time

'Cause it was never mine

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

August sipped away

Like a bottle of wine

'Cause you were never mine

Your back

Beneath the sun

Wishing I could write my name on it

Will you call when you're back at school?

I remember thinking I had you

But I can see us

Lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time

'Cause it was never mine

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

August sipped away

Like a bottle of wine

'Cause you were never mine

Back when we were still changing for the better

Wanting was enough

For me, it was enough

To live for the hope of it all

Cancel plans just in case you'd call

And say "Meet me behind the mall"

So much for summer love, and saying "Us"

'Cause you weren't mine to lose

You weren't mine to lose

But I can see us

Lost in the memory

August slipped away into a moment in time

'Cause it was never mine

And I can see us twisted in bedsheets

August sipped away

Like a bottle of wine

'Cause you were never mine, mine

'Cause you were never mine

Never mine

But do you remember?

Remember when I pulled up

And said "Get in the car"

And then canceled my plans

Just in case you'd call?

Back when I was living for the hope of it all

For the hope of it all

"Meet me behind the mall"

(Remember when I pulled up)

(And said "Get in the car")

(And then canceled my plans)

(Just in case you'd call?)

(Back when I was living for the hope of it all)

(For the hope of it all)

("Meet me behind the mall")

Remember when I pulled up

And said "Get in the car"

And then canceled my plans

Just in case you'd call?

Back when I was living for the hope of it all

(For the hope of it all)

For the hope of it all

this is me trying

I've been having a hard time adjusting

I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting

I didn't know if you'd care if I came back

I have a lot of regrets about that

Pulled the car off the road to the lookout

Could've followed my fears all the way down

And maybe I don't quite know what to say

But I'm here in your doorway

I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying

I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying

They told me all of my cages were mental

So I got wasted like all my potential

And my words shoot to kill when I'm mad

I have a lot of regrets about that

I was so ahead of the curve, the curve became a sphere

Fell behind all my classmates and I ended up here

Pourin' out my heart to a stranger

But I didn't pour the whiskey

I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying

I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying

At least I'm trying

And it's hard to be at a party

When I feel like an open wound

It's hard to be anywhere these days

When all I want is you

You're a flashback in a film reel

On the one screen in my town

And I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying (And maybe I don't quite know what to say)

I just wanted you to know

That this is me trying

At least I'm trying

illicit affairs

Make sure nobody sees you leave

Hood over your head

Keep your eyes down

Tell your friends you're out for a run

You'll be flushed when you return

Take the road less traveled by

Tell yourself you can always stop

What started in beautiful rooms

Ends with meetings in parking lots

And that's the thing about illicit affairs

And clandestine meetings

And longing stares

It's born from just one single glance

But it dies and it dies and it dies

...a million little times

Leave the perfume on the shelf

That you picked out just for him

So you leave no trace behind

Like you don't even exist

Take the words for what they are

A dwindling, mercurial high

A drug that only worked

The first few hundred times

And that's the thing about illicit affairs

And clandestine meetings

And stolen stares

They show their truth one single time

But they lie and they lie and they lie

...a million little times

And you wanna scream

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me

You showed me colors you know I can't see with anyone else

Don't call me "kid"

Don't call me "baby"

Look at this idiotic fool that you made me

You taught me a secret language I can't speak with anyone else

And you know damn well

For you I would ruin myself

...a million little times

invisible string

Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park

I used to think I would meet somebody there

Teal was the color of your shirt when you were 16 at the yogurt shop

You used to work at to make a little money

Time

Curious time

Gave me no compasses

Gave me no signs

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Bad was the blood of the song in the cab on your first trip to LA

You ate at my favorite spot for dinner

Bold was the waitress on our three-year trip getting lunch down by the Lakes

She said I looked like an American singer

Time

Mystical time

Cutting me open, then healing me fine

Were there clues I didn't see?

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

A string that pulled me

Out of all the wrong arms right into that dive bar

Something wrapped all of my past mistakes in barbed wire

Chains around my demons

Wool to brave the seasons

One single thread of gold tied me to you

Cold was the steel of my axe to grind for the boys who broke my heart

Now I send their babies presents

Gold was the color of the leaves when I showed you around Centennial Park

Hell was the journey but it brought me heaven

Time

Wondrous time

Gave me the blues and then purple-pink skies

And it's cool

Baby with me

And isn't it just so pretty to think

All along there was some

Invisible string

Tying you to me?

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

(Ah-ah-ah)

mad woman

What did you think I'd say to that?

Does a scorpion sting when fighting back?

They strike to kill and you know I will

You know I will

What do you sing on your drive home?

Do you see my face in the neighbor's lawn?

Does she smile?

Or does she mouth, "Fuck you forever"?

Every time you call me crazy

I get more crazy

What about that?

And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry

And there's nothing like a mad woman

What a shame she went mad

No one likes a mad woman

You made her like that

And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out

And you find something to wrap your noose around

And there's nothing like a mad woman

Now I breathe flames each time I talk

My cannons all firing at your yacht

They say "move on"

But you know I won't

And women like hunting witches, too

Doing your dirtiest work for you

It's obvious that wanting me dead has really brought you two together

Every time you call me crazy

I get more crazy

What about that?

And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry

And there's nothing like a mad woman

What a shame she went mad

No one likes a mad woman

You made her like that

And you'll poke that bear 'til her claws come out

And you find something to wrap your noose around

And there's nothing like a mad woman

I'm taking my time

Taking my time

'Cause you took everything from me

Watching you climb

Over people like me

The master of spin

Has a couple side flings

Good wives always know

She should be mad

Should be scathing like me

But no one likes a mad woman

What a shame she went mad

You made her like that

epiphany

Keep your helmet

Keep your life, son

Just a flesh wound

Here's your rifle

Crawling up the beaches now

"Sir, I think he's bleeding out"

And some things you just can't speak about

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down

Down

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out

Out

Something med school

Did not cover

Someone's daughter

Someone's mother

Holds your hand through plastic now

"Doc, I think she's crashing out"

And some things you just can't speak about

Only twenty minutes to sleep

But you dream of some epiphany

Just one single glimpse of relief

To make some sense of what you've seen

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down

Down (Down)

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out

Out

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down (Down)

Down (Down)

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out (Out)

Out (Out)

Only twenty minutes to sleep

But you dream of some epiphany

Just one single glimpse of relief

To make some sense of what you've seen

betty

Betty, I won't make assumptions about why you switched your homeroom

But I think it's 'cause of me

Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard when I passed your house

It's like I couldn't breathe

You heard the rumors from Inez

You can't believe a word she says

Most times, but this time it was true

The worst thing that I ever did

Was what I did to you

But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me?

Would you want me?

Would you tell me to go fuck myself

Or lead me to the garden?

In the garden would you trust me

If I told you it was just a summer thing?

I'm only seventeen

I don't know anything but I know I miss you

Betty, I know where it all went wrong

Your favorite song was playing from the far side of the gym

I was nowhere to be found, I hate the crowds, you know that

Plus, I saw you dance with him

You heard the rumors from Inez

You can't believe a word she says

Most times, but this time it was true

The worst thing that I ever did

Was what I did to you

But if I just showed up at your party

Would you have me?

Would you want me?

Would you tell me to go fuck myself

Or lead me to the garden?

In the garden would you trust me

If I told you it was just a summer thing?

I'm only seventeen

I don't know anything but I know I miss you

I was walking home on broken cobblestones

Just thinking of you when she pulled up

Like a figment of my worst intentions

She said "James, get in, let's drive"

Those days turned into nights

Slept next to her but

I dreamt of you all summer long

Betty, I'm here on your doorstep

And I planned it out for weeks now but, it's finally sinking in

Betty, right now is the last time

I can dream about what happens when you see my face again

The only thing I wanna do

Is make it up to you

So, I showed up at your party

Yeah, I showed up at your party

Will you have me?

Will you love me?

Will you kiss me on the porch in front of all your stupid friends?

If you kiss me

Will it be just like I dreamed it? Will it patch your broken wings?

I'm only seventeen

I don't know anything

But I know I miss you

Standing in your cardigan

Kissing in my car again

Stopped at a streetlight, you know I miss you

peace

Our coming-of-age has come and gone

Suddenly this summer it's clear

I never had the courage of my convictions

As long as danger is near

And it's just around the corner, darlin'

'Cause it lives in me

No, I could never give you peace

But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

If your cascade ocean wave blues come

All these people think love's for show

But I would die for you in secret

The devil's in the details

But you got a friend in me

Would it be enough

If I could never give you peace?

Your integrity makes me seem small

You paint dreamscapes on the wall

I talk shit with my friends

It's like I'm wastin' your honor

And you know that I'd

Swing with you for the fences

Sit with you in the trenches

Give you my wild, give you a child

Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other

Family that I chose now that I see your brother as my brother

Is it enough?

But there's robbers to the east

Clowns to the West

I'd give you my sunshine

Give you my best

But the rain is always gonna come

If you're standing with me

But I'm a fire and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

If your cascade ocean wave blues come

All these people think love's for show

But I would die for you in secret

The devil's in the details

But you got a friend in me

Would it be enough

If I could never give you peace?

Would it be enough

If I could never give you peace?

Would it be enough

If I could never give you peace?

hoax

My only one

My smoking gun

My eclipsed sun

This has broken me down

My twisted knife

My sleepless night

My winless fight

This has frozen my ground

Stood on the cliffside

Screaming, "Give me a reason"

Your faithless love's the only hoax

I believe in

Don't want no other shade of blue

But you

No other sadness in the world would do

My best laid plan

Your sleight of hand

My barren land

I am ash from your fire

Stood on the cliffside

Screaming "Give me a reason"

Your faithless love's the only hoax

I believe in

Don't want no other shade of blue

But you

No other sadness in the world would do

You know I left a part of me back in New York

You knew the hero died, so what's the movie for

You knew it still hurts underneath my scars

From when they pulled me apart

You knew the password, so I let you in the door

You knew you won, so what's the point of keeping score?

You knew it still hurts underneath my scars

From when they pulled me apart

But what you did was just as dark

Darling, this was just as hard

As when they pulled me apart

My only one

My kingdom come undone

My broken drum

You have beaten my heart

Don't want no other shade of blue

But you

No other sadness in the world would do

the lakes

Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?

I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones

These hunters with cell phones

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you

Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry

I'm setting off, but not without my muse

What should be over burrowed under my skin

In heart-stopping waves of hurt

I've come too far to watch some namedropping sleaze

Tell me what are my words worth

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you

Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry

I'm setting off, but not without my muse

I want auroras and sad prose

I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet

'Cause I haven't moved in years

And I want you right here

A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground

With no one around to tweet it

While I bathe in cliffside pools

With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief

Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die

I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you

Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry

I'm setting off, but not without my muse

No, not without you