​when I grow up

[Mr. Porter]
Before we begin side two let’s review
Hannah wasn’t always this hue-
So navy blue-
She could light a room
She could fight her gloom
She could shift the tune
She managed to see a different view
She was new
Hot off the press, fear still repressed
Naive to stress
She’d wear a dress to class but kick some ass in the grass
Stacey Dash clueless but ruthless in math
The perfеct student
A some teachеrs say she seems sad
But they excuse it

Hold up
Let's rewind the tape a little
Try to just escape into the innocence of youth
Back when Hannah studied Seuss
Slipping grins while sipping juice
Closer to 2002
Let’s review...
She dreamt of..
Um
I don't know
Little Hannah, I guess this story's yours
Why don't you tell us what you dream of
She steps forward

[Little Hannah]
When I grow up I wanna play with words
I wanna use my voice
I wanna make a change by making noise
When I grow up I wanna hold my pen
Like it can slay a dragon
Or a hundred men, if it’s gotta

When I grow up, I won’t be afraid of the dark
I won’t be afraid of the sun
A walk into fire won’t burn me
So I’ll live on Venus
I’ll be called a genius
And I just might believe it...

When I grow up, hope I’m a little taller
I’ve noticed when you’re smaller
Then it's a little harder to be noticed
When I grow up, I hope I’ll recognize that
I have and not just emphasize what I lack
I hope I’m pretty

When I grow up, I won’t be afraid of my mind
I’ll leave random sadness behind
And focus on being famous
Live my life shamelessly
And I’ll fly gracefully through each chapter
Toward the ending we all know I’m after

Some girls wait around for their big break
Not me
I’m already cracking, so I can’t take that damage
No room for baggage on this Caravan of me
Give me experience
Five years, some tears
I’ll be ready
Give me some room to just breathe
And you’ll see
When I grow up

[Preteen Hannah]
When I grow up, will mom and dad be better?
Or will they storm the weather?
And if the love is failing will they tell me?
When I grow up, if I have a daughter
Will I say “work harder”?
Or will I recognize how hard she’s trying?

When I grow up I won’t work at some job that I hate
“my daughters home, I can’t work late”
That what I’ll say to the boss who is... me?
That’s what good parents do, no question

[Mr. Porter]
Notice all the sudden tension

[Little Hannah]
Some girls wait around for their big break
Not me
I’m already cracking, so I can’t take that damage
A lot of baggage on this Caravan of me
Give me a break, it’s so hard
My guards always up ‘cause
Sometimes it feels like I can’t breathe
What wrong with me?
Time to grow up

[Normal Hannah]
Time to grow up