i keep my paint brush with me
wherever i may go
in case i need to cover up
so the real me doesn't show
i'm afraid of what you'll do
you might laugh or say mean things
i'm afraid i might lose you
i'd like to remove all my paint coats
to show you the real, true me
but i want you to try and understand
i need you to accept what you see.
so if you'll be patient and close your eyes
i'll strip off all my coats real slow
please try to understand how much it hurts
to let the real me show
now my coats are all torn off
i feel naked, bard and cold
and if you still love me with all that you see
you are my friend, pure as gold
i need to save my paint brush, though
and hold it in my hand, i want to keep it handy
in case somebody doesn't understand
so please protect me, my dear friend
and thanks for loving me true
but please let me keep my paint brush with me
until i love me too
-Bettie B. Young
