"Careful (For Dee)" lyrics

How was I to know that I would not let go
Of everything I swore I'd never be?
I made myself a life, changed my tiger stripes
But the lake is not the same thing as the sea
The sea is filled with salt, and the wounds are all your fault
You read the book, you even wrote the song
But you're still wrong

When I was younger, I was bold
But if you're careful, you get old
And you might not have enough tread on the tire
So if it's slippery, slow it down
And if it's too high, go around
Before you shut it down, put out your fire
So it won't burn the ones you love
When you don't feel good enough
I know it's tough to let somebody down
But you don't owe them

55 came fast, in fact, it blew right past
I don't know how time works anymore
When you do the thing you love
It's hard to get enough
And you're always leaving someone at the door
They're happy for the show
And they try to let you know
Even though it's a golden road you're on
You're still gone

So show 'em what you're worth
You've known it since your birth
There's not enough gold here on Earth
That I'd trade for the hearse
You would not be the first
To tell me I'm the worst, but you don't know me

When I was younger, I was bold
But if you're careful, you get old
And you might not have enough tread on the tire
So if it's slippery, slow it down
And if it's too high, go around
Before you shut it down, put out your fire
So it won't burn the ones you love
When you don't feel good enough
I know it's tough to let somebody down
But you don't owe them