I was sure enough to come 
I was dumb enough to stay 
But all the secrets of my soul 
Weren't enough to keep me home 
Weren't enough to keep me straight 

And all the people I have known 
Never meant to let me down 
But human nature's got a mind of its own 
And I'm inclined to just drop it like a stone 

Like a little girl walking 
In an older woman's shoes 
I can hear my father talking, saying 
"Rose, never learn to sing the blues" 

So won't you take me by the hand? 
Won't you lead me somewhere safe? 
Because all the secrets of my soul 
Aren't enough to keep me whole 
Are enough to make me break 

Like a little girl walking 
In an older woman's shoes 
I can hear my father talking, saying 
"Rose, never learn to sing the blues" 

It's my time, it's your time 
See it's alright and as perfect 
As it's going to be 
Oh, you're my friend 
(You've always been) 
Rushing in like a wave of memory 

Of a little girl walking in an older woman's shoes 
I can hear my father talking, saying 
"Rose, never learn to sing the blues" 
I can hear my daddy talking, saying 
"Rose, never learn to sing the blues"