I learned to love I learned to give When I was little and all around me seemed to live I learned to swim in the sea To run across endless fields Time and space was so unreal You showed me a wonder in everything You were the calming voice that spoke the truth And I knew the day would turn to night Every time you dimmed the light And the moon dimmed my mind Oh I was so proud Of my new red-velvet gown I learned to sing then I talked I sang all day all those songs I loved to fly on sunday's clouds You picked me up after school Because the boys were so rude Until the day I hit back too Oh how I cried that day A pearl was hiding in my ear Remember I was scared Black panthers underneath my bed You showed me the wonders of every spring You were the calming voice that talked so wise And I knew the day was close at hand Every time you dimmed the light And the moon dimmed my mind Oh then the day would turn to night