Handshake's Length

I built walls
So high around me
Wouldn't let them in
Or even let them see

But I've had friends
A socialite, I've been
Full of youth and barroom glory
We knew each other's drinks but not each others stories
Just havin' a good time

They may think they know me
But they don't know me well
There's scenes that I can't show 'em
And even more that I can't tell
I keep my station guarded and it has never fell
And they won't learn my weakness
And I won't show my strength
And I will keep my friends
No closer than a handshake's length

They don't know how lonely I was
In the years before she came along
Head to my room
Close the door and turn the TV on
Sit there alone

And they don't how broke I was
Hasn't been a year ago
But the paycheck stretched and the bills got paid
But the scars of the stress and the grey hairs stayed

They may think they know me
But they don't know me well
There's scenes that I can't show 'em
And even more that I can't tell
I keep my station guarded and it has never fell
And they won't learn my weakness
And I won't show my strength
And I will keep my friends
No closer than a handshake's length

Territory uncharted
That's what you said when you first started
The long daily drive to the daily grind
But unfamiliar highways become second nature in no time
And the routine grows
And your freedom goes

Dreams before that turned me on
Shattered, died, and turned me out
Cast my heart in stone long ago
Cold and hard and filled with doubt
Though the shell never cracks
It's softened by a gentle touch
And the innocent laughter from across the hall
Is more than worth the daily rush

You may think you know me
But you don't know me well
There's scenes that I can't show you
And even more that I can't tell
I keep my station guarded and it has never fell
And you won't learn my weakness
And I won't show my strength
And I still keep my friends
No closer than a handshake's length