Alone But Not Lonely

Mary Chapin Carpenter

I haven't a reason, a clue, or a sign
I haven't the slightest idea
Of the shape of your heart or the state of your mind

Do you ever let anyone near?
Do you ever reach out with arms open wide?
Do you ever jump in closing your eyes?
Or are you one of the fortunate kind
Alone, but not lonely?

Everyday on the street I study their faces
The ones who rush on through the crowd
Towards their own quiet worlds, their separate places
Somewhere I'm never allowed

'Cause I've always been one to say what I need
And then the next thing it's done and I'm watching 'em leave
And I'm thinking, I wish I could be
Alone, but not lonely

So which one are you tonight?
Do you change with the morning light?
Do you say more than what sounds right?
Do you say what you mean?

There are moments in time that are meant to be held
Like fragile, breakable things
There are others that pass us; you can't even tell
Such is their grace and their speed
And this one is gone in the blink of an eye
You can ask me the truth, but tonight I will lie
Unflinching, I'll tell you that I'm alone, but not lonely