My Heart Aches

Are you still awake tonight?
I’ve got a little question.
There’s a hurting in my chest
And I don’t know how to mend it.
I didn’t fall, I didn’t cry
Until they had to say goodbye.
Now something hurts I cannot see—
Could you tell me what’s wrong with me?

Why does my little heart a-a-ache?
(Oh, my little heart)
How much hurting can it take?
(Oh, my little heart)
Isn’t love supposed to hold you?
Isn’t love supposed to stay?
Then why, oh why, oh wh-y-y
Does it hurt this way?

Can you help me understand it?
(Tell me, tell me)
Did I make some small mistake?
If love is such a good, good thing,
Why does my little heart ache?

Should I have hugged a little longer?
Should I have asked them not to go?
Everybody says, “Love makes you stronger,”
But I still feel so small.
I saved a hundred little stories
I was gonna tell them soon.
Now I whisper to my pillow
In the quiet of my room.

Why does my little heart a-a-ache?
(Oh, my little heart)
How much hurting can it take?
(Oh, my little heart)
Isn’t love supposed to help you
Make it through a lonely day?
Then why, oh why, oh wh-y-y
Does it hurt this way?

Can you help me understand it?
(Tell me, tell me)
Where does all that loving go?
When the one you want to give it to
Isn’t coming home?

Bridge — stripped back, then building
Maybe you could sit beside me.
(Sit beside me)
Maybe we could leave the light.
(Leave the light)
You don’t have to make me happy.
Could you help me through tonight?

I don’t need a great big answer.
I don’t know what I would say.
Could you let me ask it one more time
And love me anyway?

Love me when I’m crying.
(You can cry right here)
Love me when I’m mad.
(You can stay right here)
Do they know I’m waiting?
Do they know I’m sad?

Oh, hold me—
(Hold me)
A little closer—
(Closer)
Till I can catch my breath.
I’ve never loved somebody
And missed them like this yet.

Why does my little heart a-a-ache?
(Oh, my little heart)
Did I love somebody wrong?
(Oh, my little heart)
If I sing it very softly,
Will you help me sing along?

Will you stay a little longer?
(Stay beside me)
I don’t know how long this takes.
Keep your hand here while I’m sleeping…

My little heart
A-a-aches.

Are you still there?
Will it feel a little better
When I wake?