How My Heart Behaves
Feist Lyrics

What grew
The start of an introspective thought process, pondering what has developed or changed within oneself

What grew
Continuing the thought process and emphasizing its importance

What grew and inside who
Reflecting on the internal changes that have taken place, considering how they have affected the person

First so simple was the vow
Remembering the initial commitment made, how it seemed uncomplicated at the time

Then the chorus sang about
But as time passed, the complexity of the situation became clearer and more evident

Your shoulder
Seeking comfort and support from someone close

The mooring for me
Finding stability and security in that person, relying on them like a boat mooring in a stormy sea

Like water lost in the sea
Feeling lost or displaced, as if adrift in a vast, uncertain world

I'm a stem now
Using the metaphor of a plant growing, describing a feeling of newfound strength and resilience

Pushing the draught aside
Overcoming obstacles or challenges in order to grow and flourish

Opening up
Becoming more vulnerable and exposed in order to experience deeper connections with others

Fanning my yellow eye
Describing the opening of one's heart, represented by a flower turning towards the sun

On the ferry
Moving forward in life, taking a journey towards new experiences

That's making the waves wave
Feeling empowered, causing ripples that can impact others

Illumination
Bringing clarity and understanding to oneself and to others

This is how my heart behaves
Summing up the emotional journey that has taken place and expressing pride in the person one has become

The rain, rain making me cry
Acknowledging the power of external forces to impact one's emotions, feeling a sense of vulnerability

Then the wind comes
Describing a shift in external factors, which can be positive or negative

The waves wave, the waves wave
Continuing the theme of external forces affecting one's inner state, often in unpredictable ways

And what grew
Returning to the reflection on internal growth and development

What grew
Emphasizing its importance and continuing the introspective thought process

What grew and inside who
Reflecting on the changes that have taken place internally and their impact on one's sense of self

The cold heart will burst
Stating a universal truth about the dangers of mistrust and fear shutting down one's emotions

If mistrusted first
Explaining how that emotional shutdown can happen, through a betrayal or perceived threat

And a calm heart will break
Contrasting with the previous line, acknowledging that even when one feels secure and stable, unexpected events can still cause emotional harm

When given a shake
Further explaining how external factors can impact one's inner state, often in ways that are difficult to predict