On the lake at dawn
You cut the cold in red
Feather by feather slow
Like a secret I kept
Your shadow on the reeds
My hands in my coat
You never moved for me
Still I followed the boat
And when the air went still
You turned your head to mine
I saw a fire swim
Right under your white lines
Red swan red swan
Stay in my hands (stay in my hands)
Red swan red swan
Don’t break the plan
Red swan red swan
I know your name (I know your name)
Red swan red swan
Burn then glide again
You drifted past the dock
Past the ropes and nails
Past the kids with stones
Past the bent-up rails
I swear you looked at me
Like you knew the ache
Like every little scar
Was a shape you could take
And when the air went still
You turned your head to mine
I saw a fire swim
Right under your white lines
Red swan red swan
Stay in my hands (stay in my hands)
Red swan red swan
Don’t break the plan
Red swan red swan
I know your name (I know your name)
Red swan red swan
Burn then glide again
If I let you go
Will the water keep your glow
If I call too loud
Will you fold or come down
Hold that edge for me
Hold that scarlet bend
I was made for this
To watch you disappear and then
Red swan red swan
Stay in my hands (stay in my hands)
Red swan red swan
Don’t break the plan
Red swan red swan
I know your name (I know your name)
Red swan red swan
Burn then glide again
Red swan red swan
Stay in my hands (stay in my hands)
Red swan red swan
I know your flame
Red swan red swan
Burn then glide again