I Gave You Paradise

[Banjo, Harmonica, Horn Intro] [Verse 1] Patching up the roof in the pouring rain Fingers numb, clothes soaked, fighting off the pain Fixed your car at midnight, walked to work at dawn All to see that smile, but it's long gone [Pre-Chorus] Folks line up around the block for what I do But your eyes are cold, cutting me in two My skills bring joy to everyone but you [Chorus] I gave you paradise (paradise) Built it with these hands of mine But all I taste is bitter wine Your love's a shadow I can't find [Verse 2] Planted roses, trimmed the hedge, painted the fence white Worked two jobs, saved every dime, to keep our dreams in sight Cooked your favorite meals, even learned to sew But nothing's ever good enough, how was I to know? [Pre-Chorus] People praise my craft, say I've got the touch But your words are venom, sting so very much My worth to you ain't worth a wooden nickel's rust [Chorus] I gave you paradise (oh baby) But all I got was cold as ice My love's rejected, spite directed Paradise ain't nice [Verse 3] You said you'd stay forever, swore you'd never leave Boxes in the hallway, still packed up to the brim Promised me a future, said we'd build a life But your bags stayed ready, like you're cut by a knife [Verse 4] Empty drawers waiting, closet space untouched Your toothbrush in a travel case, speaks volumes, says so much Living like a guest here, one foot out the door While I'm all in, giving everything and more [Pre-Chorus] Told the world you're mine, but you're just passing through Your heart's still packed up tight, what more can I do? I'm building us a home, but you won't move in too [Verse 5] Every argument ends with you threatening to go "I'm leaving for my sister's!" you'll say. But it's just for show When I call your bluff, say "Maybe you should leave" You say you can't go nowhere, but you won't believe in me When I call your bluff, say "Maybe you should leave" You say you can't go nowhere, but you won't believe in me [Pre-Chorus] This push and pull is tearing me apart You're holding all the pieces of my breaking heart Can't live with you, can't live without you - where to start? [Bridge] Every night I lie awake (lie awake) Wondering where I went wrong My spirit's starting to break (starting to break) Can't fake being strong for long Your spite is like a knife (like a knife) Cutting deeper every day Thought you were my whole life (my whole life) Now you're pushing me away [Verse 6] Remember when we started? Love was in your eyes Now all I see is anger, wrapped in cold disguise They say my work's a treasure, offer fortunes grand But I'd trade it all just to hold your hand [Pre-Chorus] World outside is knocking, begging at my door But inside these walls, I'm dying on the floor Your rejection's left me shattered to the core [Chorus] I gave you paradise (paradise) Built it with these hands of mine But all I taste is bitter wine Your love's a shadow I can't find [Outro] I gave you paradise (gave you paradise) But paradise has turned to hell My heart's in chains (heart's in chains) All that's left is love's remains