Lyric

I placed the candles low

So every shadow leaned

I let the silver shine

Where no one should have seen

The roses looked polite

The wine was breathing dark

I wore the softer smile

To hide the sharper mark

I moved the room with grace

Before a word was said

The Hostess Smiled First

And every glass obeyed

One look across the table

Put mercy out of place

I asked about your health

With velvet in my tone

You thanked me for the chair

I chose to leave you on

The guests admired the light

The curtains held their breath

I passed the salt with care

And dressed the wound as etiquette

I only changed the order

And let the evening go on

The Hostess Smiled First

The room began to fold

You reached for conversation

And touched what you were owed

I learned to lower rage

Until it looked refined

A courtesy can bloom

With poison underneath the wine

The Hostess Smiled First

So nobody called it cruel

I kept my hands immaculate

While everything moved through you