Lyrics The Optimist - Emma Pollock

Given the light
Give it some truth
Given the maybe
Give it some proof
This body is cleaner
I'm one to behold
My truth was uncovered
Untainted and told
I loathed the people
I considered old

Oh, the optimist

Teach me to follow
Teach me to lead
Teach me to stand up
And how to succeed
As long as I'm upright
I'll try to prolong
The notion
That future events
Must go on
No matter the turn out
Is right or is wrong

They trusted you
And all the things
You often made
Them do, and now
Everyone smilin'
Telling me
I've got
To trust you to
Do no wrong
'Cause if you do
You just won't live
As long, and now
Everyone's cryin'
Someone's telling them
To just stop trying

Given some truth
Call it a lie
Given some action
Ask yourself why
This body is slow
And it's seen
It's best days
My truth is uncovered
My negative ways
I'm one of the people
I struggle to praise

Oh, the pessimist

Teach me to follow
But never to lead
Teach me to stay down
And never succeed
When everyone's watching
It's hard to admit
The movement of shadows
That lead me to quit
I grapple with time
But I can't make it fit

They trusted you
With all the things
You often made them do
And now
Everyone smillin'
Telling me
I've got to trust you to
Do no wrong
'Cause if you do
You just won't live
As long, and now
Everyone's smilin'
Someone's telling them
To just stop trying