Break in the Cup

One of my favorite songs.

Photo by Nong on Unsplash

The artist and writer is David Wilcox. The Album is Big Horizon, 1994.

I try so hard to please you 
To be the love that fills you up 
I try to pour on sweet affection, 
But I think you got a broken cup. 
Because you can't believe I love you 
I try to tell you that there is no doubt, 
But as soon as I fill you with all I've got 
That little break will let it run right out. 

I cannot make you happy. 
I'm learning love and money never do 
But I can pour myself out 'til I'm empty 
Trying to be just who you'd want me to. 

But I cannot make you happy 
Even though our love is true 
For there's a break in the cup that holds love 
Inside of you. 

Now I begin to understand you 
As you explain this fear you feel. 
It's when you see me fall into that sorrow 
it makes you doubt the love is real. 
'Cause the lonely wind still blows through me 
I turn away so can't see 
But now how could I still be so empty 
With all the love that you pour on me. 

I guess you cannot make me happy 
That's a money back guarantee. 
But you can pour yourself out 'til you're empty 
Trying to be just who I'd want you to be. 
You cannot make me happy 
It's just the law of gravity 
And that break in the cup that holds love, 
Inside of me. 

So if you're tempted to rescue me 
Drowning in this quicksand up to my neck 
Before you grab my hand to save me 
Why don't you ask me if I'm finished yet. 

Because you cannot make me happy 
Not when I'm empty inside of me 
But you can pull yourself right in here with me 
My misery'd love to have your company. 

We cannot trade empty for empty 
We must go to the waterfall 
For there's a break in the cup that holds love, 
A break in the cup that holds love, 
A break in the cup that holds love, 
Inside us all. Inside us all.