Blue Ribbon

Verse 1

You kept the blue ribbon folded in your book

I kept the test you beat me on the one I never shook

We traded little victories beneath the gym clock's hands

Two names in red ink drawn like borders in the sand

Pre-Chorus

Now the bus brakes sigh at quarter past eight

Your coffee tips I catch it before it can stain

You say still keeping score I say not today

The old sharp edge gives a little way

Chorus

We used to race for the top of the page

Now we share the same road same morning same lane

You know where I'm strong I know where you bend

No need to win when you're walking beside a friend

Post-Chorus

Same road same lane

Walking beside a friend

Same road same lane

Verse 2

Your badge swings crooked as you reach for the rail

I tell you the shortcut where the avenue fails

You laugh at the map I drew back in tenth grade

Still marked every turn like a debt to be paid

Pre-Chorus

The office towers gather beyond the glass

We let the old remarks pass and pass

You say you were good I say so were you

It lands like a fact not a thing to undo

Chorus

We used to race for the top of the page

Now we share the same road same morning same lane

You know where I'm strong I know where you bend

No need to win when you're walking beside a friend

Post-Chorus

Same road same lane

Walking beside a friend

Same road same lane

Bridge

At the crosswalk you hand me the blue ribbon

I turn it once then tuck it in my coat

Not a prize not proof not something forgiven

Just a small old thing we both outgrew

Final Chorus

We used to race for the top of the page

Now we share the same road same morning same lane

You know where I'm strong I know where you bend

No need to win we make a good team in the end

Outro

Same morning same lane

No need to win today