The Fork Where Both Ways Hurt

[Intro]
You said, “I’m here,” and I believed
I gave away more than I could keep

[Verse 1]
I took the late road past your town
With every warning turned face down
Your name was folded in my coat
A promise I could barely hold

I learned the shape of every need
And called it love to let you lead
Now every mile I gave away
Has brought me to this split today

[Pre-Chorus]
One sign says stay and make it right
One points toward a quieter life
My hands are full of what you left
I can’t tell which road is mine yet

[Chorus]
Every road my heart can take
Turns somewhere I can’t undo
I gave my love too freely
Now I’m standing here with you
At the fork where both ways hurt
And neither one feels true
Tell me, when I loved you without measure
Where was I supposed to turn to?

[Group Chant]
Which way? Which way?

[Verse 2]
I kept your spare key on the ring
Through every season, everything
I learned to answer before you asked
And wore your weather like a mask

The road behind is full of us
Small good days and broken trust
Ahead, the blank signs catch the rain
I want my name back all the same

[Pre-Chorus]
One sign says wait, the years will mend
One says don’t make this hurt again
I’m tired of choosing what you need
Before I hear my own heartbeat

[Chorus]
Every road my heart can take
Turns somewhere I can’t undo
I gave my love too freely
Now I’m standing here with you
At the fork where both ways hurt
And neither one feels true
Tell me, when I loved you without measure
Where was I supposed to turn to?

[Bridge]
Maybe love is not a debt
I have to pay with what is left
Maybe leaving isn’t proof
That every tender thing was false

I can miss you and still go
I can love you, say it slow
But if I keep on losing me
There’ll be no one left to choose

[Group Chant]
Choose yourself! Choose yourself!

[Final Chorus]
Every road my heart can take
May lead somewhere I can’t yet see
I gave my love too freely
Now I’m learning what is mine to keep
At the fork where both ways hurt
I will take the road that lets me breathe
I can wish you well and still remember
That my heart belongs to me

[Outro]
The signs are worn, the dawn is pale
I take one step beyond the trail
No map can tell me what comes through
But this next road belongs to me