Key: A
Introduction:
Am7 G#º C F#º F
I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne
E
I'm sorry, we?re alone
Am7 G#º
I wrote my chapter
C F#º F
You'll turn the page when I'm gone
E
I hope you?ll sing along
This is your song
Am7 E
I just want you to know that I ain't scared
G7 F#º
Whatever it takes to raise you, I'm prepared
F E
To do whatever, to do whatever
December 1st, 1995, dear Hailie
Am7 E
You'll be coming out of mommy's stomach soon
G F#º
I better do something quick if I'ma be able to support you
F
I can barely support me, but as long as you're healthy
E
That's all that matters for the time being
Am7 E
But obviously, assuming you will be, just thinking ahead
C7+
I?ma make it if it kills me
Dm
Let?s see how far I can take it with this music
E
I'm getting sick of chasing this illusion
Sorry for sloppy writing
Am7 G#º
Dad's a little nervous, but at the same time excited
G7 F#º
If I use this same energy while I'm saying rhymes and write 'em
F
With the same passion and the same exact enthusiasm
Em
As I?m using in this letter maybe they can feel me as I'm
Am7 G#º
Trying to build these castles out of sand, baby girl
G7 F#º
For you to sit on the throne, I got plans, baby girl
F
Welcome to mom and dad's crazy world
Love, daddy
Em
Maple flavored kisses, buttered pancakes, and syrup
Am7 Em C Dm F
I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne
E
I'm sorry, we're alone
Am G#º
I wrote my chapter
C F#º F
You'll turn the page when I'm gone
Em
I hope you'll sing along
This is your song
Am7 G#º
I just want you to know that I ain't scared
C
Whatever it takes to raise you, I'm prepared
F Em
To do whatever, to do whatever
December 1st, 1996, dear Hailie
Am7 G#º
You got your momma's personality, same eyes as I got
G7 F#º F
Her beautiful smile, but your ears are the same size as mine are
G
Sorry for that, a little minor mishap
E
But you'll grow into 'em baby
Am7
I'm on the grind now
Em C
I'm doing little shows, open mics, all-nighters and studios
Dm
While I'm tryna keep the lights on
Why does it seem like I'm so close to this dream, yet so far?
Am
I just keep steering
I'm gonna turn into someone
Am7 G#º
I haven't the slightest clue what I'm gonna do if it falls through
G7 F#º
You took your first steps today, you'll probably walk soon
F
My Infinite CD flopped, too many soft tunes
Em
They're talking bad about dad, it's ticking me off too
Am7 Em
Makes me feel like I don't belong or something, ooh
G7
I think I might have just stumbled onto something new
F
Got a prediction for the future, I'm hoping it's you
Em
Open this envelope when you're older and it holds true
Am7 Em C Dm F
I built this castle, now we are trapped on the throne
E
I'm sorry, we're alone
Am G#º
I wrote my chapter
C F#º F
You'll turn the page when I'm gone
Em
I hope you'll sing along
This is your song
Am7 G#º
I just want you to know that I ain't scared
C
Whatever it takes to raise you, I'm prepared
F Em
To do whatever, to do whatever
December 1st, 1996, dear Hailie
Am7 G#º
Now if you found these letters, I guess I better try to explain
G7 F#º
A lot's happened in between 'em, since I rised to this fame
F
I've said your name but always tried to hide your face
G Em
This game is crazy, I wanted to claim my love for you but damn
Am7
I never knew it'd be like this
Em
If I did I wouldn't have done it
C
You ain't asked for none of this shit
Dm
Now you're being punished?
Em
Things that should've been private with me and your mother is public
I can't stomach, they can take this fame back, I don't want it
Am7 G#º
I'll put out this last album then I'm done with it
G
One-hundred percent finished
F#º
Fed up with it, I'm hanging it up, fuck it
F
Excuse the cursing, baby, but just know
Em
That I'm a good person, though they portray me as cold
Am Em G
And, if things should worsen, don't take this letter I wrote as a goodbye note
'Cause your dad's at the end of his rope
F
I'm sliding down a slippery slope
Em
Anyways sweetie, I better go, I'm getting sleepy
Love dad
Am G#º G F#º FEm