Harry Chapin
Tangled Up Puppet (Live)
[Intro]
Here's a song called "Song to Jamie" or "Tangled Up Puppet."
[Verse 1]
There was a time that you curled up in my lap like a child
You'd cling to me smiling, your eyes wide and wild
Now you slip through my arms, wave a passing hello
Twist away and toss a kiss, laughing as you go
[Verse 2]
You used to say "Read me a story and sing me songs of love"
For you were Princess Paradise on the wings of a dove
Now I chase you and tease you, trying to remake you my own
But you just turn away and say, "Please leave me alone"
[Chorus]
And I'm a tangled up puppet all hanging in your strings
I'm a butterfly in a spidеr's web fluttering my wings
And the morе that I keep dancing and spinning 'round in knots
The more I see what used to be and the less of you I've got
[Verse 3]
You are a drawer full of make-up and rinses and things
You keep changing your moods like your earrings and rings
But tonight while we played tag for five minutes in the yard
Well, just for a moment I caught you off-guard
[Chorus]
And I'm a tangled up puppet all hanging in your strings
I'm a butterfly in a spider's web fluttering my wings
And the more that I keep dancing and spinning 'round in knots
The more I see what used to be and the less of you I've got
[Bridge]
But now you write your secret poems in a room just for your dreams
You don't find time to talk to me about the things you mean
(Tangled, tangled, tangled)
What I mean is—
[Verse 4]
I have watched you take shape from a jumble of parts
And find the grace and form of a fine work of art
Hey you, my brand new woman, newly come into your own
Don't you know that you don't need to grow up all alone?
[Outro]
Thank you. I love you.