[Verse 1]
Holdin' on to her red balloon
All the other kids want it too
She keeps it dry in the pouring rain
Lets it go but it never floats away

[Verse 2]
(And mama said)
Let 'em see but don't let 'em touch
Cause there's not a man in this world that you can trust
And the shinier that they are
The quicker they cut right through your heart

[Chorus]
And it always hurts
Just let it bleed
Don't let 'em see you cry
It's killing you to let it go
Your red balloon won't fly

[Verse 3]
Daddy flew away years ago
Tied to all of the red balloons he stole
Now he's headed straight for the sun
You can hear them pop one-by-one

[Chorus]
And it always hurts
Just let it bleed
Don't let 'em see you
It's killing you to let it go
Your red balloon won't fly

[Bridge]
Oh it won't fly
'Cause now I'm getting scared
It's running out of air
You can take the knife to my throat
The barrel to my skull
Just leave my red balloon alone

[Chorus]
'Cause it always hurts
And it always bleeds
Don't let 'em see you cry-y-y-y

[Outro]
It's killing you to let it go
Your red balloon won't fly
It's killing you to let it go
Your red balloon won't fly