"PAPER CROWNS" | Hollow Crown

"PAPER CROWNS" by Hollow Crown A father kneels down to eye level with his child and tries to explain the wreckage of a broken home with trembling hands and a steady voice — this is the kind of raw, chest-cracking honesty that hits like a memory you weren't ready to revisit. "Paper Crowns" turns heartbreak into a lullaby, wrapping devastating truth in the softest melody so the pain goes down easier, even when it doesn't. ── Lyrics ── [Intro] (Soft, haunting music-box piano melody plays on a loop) (Sound of a heavy sigh) Yeah... I know it's confusing, baby. I know it doesn't make sense right now. Just... come here. Sit down. Let me talk to you. [Verse 1] I see you looking at the pictures in the hallway frame Wondering why this empty house doesn't feel the same I see you crying in your sleep, hiding in your sheets Asking where your momma went, looking down the street. I know you miss her. I know you want us all together But sometimes seasons change, and people change the weather. Me and your mom, we tried our hardest, swear to God we did But sometimes two puzzle pieces just don't fit the grid. It ain't your fault, baby girl, don't ever think it is You're the greatest thing we ever made, you're a brilliant kid. I know it hurts seeing Daddy pack his bags and go But I'm still right here beside you, watching how you grow. I'm trying to be the man you need, trying to build a life Even when the world is dark and cuts us like a knife. [Chorus - Sung softly, lullaby melody] (A gentle hip-hop drum beat kicks in) So hush little angel, please don't cry Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby. And if that lullaby doesn't sound quite right Daddy's gonna buy you the stars in the night. And if those stars refuse to shine down Daddy's gonna fold you a paper crown. I'll give you the world, just wait and see... As long as you keep on smiling for me. [Verse 2] I remember back when we barely even had a dime Counting copper pennies just to cross the grocery line Christmas Eve, I was stressing, couldn't buy a toy Felt like a failure of a father, just a broken boy. I took a cardboard box, drew a castle with a pen Told you it was magic, and I watched you smile again. You didn't care that we were broke, you didn't care at all You just wanted Daddy sitting with you in the hall. I put the hours in, working till my hands would bleed Just to make sure you had everything you'd ever need. But somewhere in the hustle, man, I lost the bigger view I was making all this money, but I wasn't there with you. I missed the school plays. I missed the bedtimes. I'm sorry for the shouting matches and the heavy crimes. I'm sorry that your innocence got caught up in the storm I'm just trying to wrap my arms around you, keep you warm. [Chorus - Sung softly, lullaby melody] So hush little angel, please don't cry Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby. And if that lullaby doesn't sound quite right Daddy's gonna buy you the stars in the night. And if those stars refuse to shine down Daddy's gonna fold you a paper crown. I'll give you the world, just wait and see... As long as you keep on smiling for me. [Verse 3] You're growing up so fast, looking just like her It breaks my heart a little bit, but it's a beautiful blur. I look into your eyes and I see the better half of me The only thing I did right in this whole tragedy. So whenever you feel lonely, whenever you feel sad Just look up at the moon and know you got a dad Who would tear down the sky, who would drain out the sea If anyone ever tried to take you away from me. We're gonna be alright. Just the two of us now. I'm gonna figure this fatherhood thing out somehow. [Outro] (The drum beat stops. Just the lonely music-box piano continues) Yeah. I love you, princess. More than anything in this crazy world. Now close your eyes. Go to sleep. Daddy's right outside the door. I ain't going nowhere. (Piano slowly fades into silence) #emotionalstorytellinghiphopballadtempo8285bpmmelancholicmusicboxpianoloop #softcinematicstrings #simplestrippedbackboombapdrumbeatvocalmalerapper #conversational #vulnerable #apologetic #slightvocalfry #rappingasifspeakingdirectlytohischildthedeliveryisrhythmicbuthighlyemotionalchorustherappersingsagentle #bittersweetlullabymelodyarrangementspokenintro #verse1buildsthestory