Smile When You’re Ready by Fred Small Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Little girl in Mary Janes
You walked a fine line
Party braids and pinafores
Thank you for the very nice time
They didn't ask what you were thinking
They didn't want to know
All you wanted was to be loved
So you put on a show

[Chorus]
But you can smile when you're ready
Not a moment before
A refugee awakes at night
To the sound of distant wars
Smile when you're ready
No matter how long it takes
Your wounded heart will find
Its own saving grace

[Verse 2]
Toy guns and bloody noses
Don't walk away from a fight
"Faggot" jeers at the sign of tears
Screw the lid on tight
So you never let 'em see you
You never laugh too loud
You're the man in the iron mask
You're a big boy now
[Chorus]
But you can smile when you're ready
Not a moment before
A refugee awakes at night
To the sound of distant wars
Smile when you're ready
No matter how long it takes
Your wounded heart will find
Its own saving grace

[Bridge]
Rain on the river
Patches of blue
Just when a smile seems a million miles away
It'll sneak up on you

[Verse 3]
Sometimes the people who hurt you
Don't leave you alone
Maybe they ask forgiveness
Maybe they say please come home
Maybe they're just too ashamed to admit
The things you say are true
You can love 'em, you can let 'em go
You know it's up to you
[Chorus]
To smile when you're ready
Not a moment before
A refugee awakes at night
To the sound of distant wars
Smile when you're ready
No matter how long it takes
Your wounded heart will find
Its own saving grace