words and music by paula mcmath

there are more important things
than some feeling that may wash over me
said Elizabeth the first
it may look like I have everything
but I have nothing but my work
I am no Sleeping Beauty
to be awakened by lover’s first kiss
I must speak all in riddles never saying what I mean
and if I can’t have you
if I can’t have you
I’ll stay, I’ll stay the Virgin Queen

your touch won’t bring me comfort
it will only bring me down
under the crown of my loneliness
I don’t need to possess you
and I don’t want to be possessed
I am no Cinderella
waiting for some unbroken shoe to fit
in some cellar some place unwashed and unseen
and if I can’t have you
if I can’t have you
then I’ll stay, I’ll stay the Virgin Queen

I can form no allegiance or my power is lost
I must maintain my defenses though my life is the cost
and if you rogues were to see me weep
see the rage that I conceal
you’d go running to keep
what you came to me to steal

what have I done to have to sit here on my own
on this throne forever alone
I am weak and longing not to speak
stronger than you know
I am no Snow White
the pawn in some poison apple scheme
and though I know one day I’ll die
I’ll never go back to sleep
and if I can’t have you
if I can’t have you
then I’ll stay, I’ll stay the Virgin Queen