Verse 1
We walked through Dublin with the daylight low
Past narrow streets and windows full of silver
Your hand brushed mine, then stayed there slow
Like something broken learning to be tender
I saw the rings beneath the glass
Small cold circles catching skin and light
You smiled like you already knew
I was scared of wanting this tonight
Pre-Chorus
Hands for holding
Heart for love
Crown for staying
When the ground gives way
Nothing written
Nothing staged
Just your fingers
Finding mine again
Chorus
Put the Claddagh ring in my hand
Let the silver feel real against my skin
Not a story, not a dream
Not some beautiful lie
I made myself believe
Put the Claddagh ring on my hand
Let me choose you with open hands
Hands, heart, crown, and everything
Love became weight
In a Claddagh ring
Post-Chorus
Verse 2
I don't trust promises, I've heard them break
I've seen soft words turn sharp in the dark
So I stood there quiet, trying not to shake
With old fear pulling at my heart
You didn't ask me to be healed
You didn't dress the damage up as gold
You just looked at me and held your breath
Like, "Take the meaning you are ready to hold"
Bridge
This is not magic
This is not theatre
This is your breath
And the shake in my hands
I want this real
I want this here
No smoke, no mask
No disappearing
The ring in your palm
My pulse in my wrist
I was afraid of needing this
But I still choose it
Final Chorus
I put the Claddagh ring in your hand
Let the silver feel real against your skin
Not a story, not a dream
Not some beautiful lie
We made ourselves believe
I put the Claddagh ring on your hand
Let me choose you with open hands
Hands, heart, crown, and everything
Love became weight
In a Claddagh ring