Genesis › Lyrics › If That's What You Need

'Talking makes us human', that's what I was told
So why do I find it so difficult to let my feelings unfold?
Had I the courage to tell you I'd promise you this

If that's what you need
I'll be the river, I'll be the mountain always beside you
If that's what you need
I will be stronger, I will be braver than ever before

An' when you came along and turned it all around
I promised myself I wouldn't tell you
Until we stood on solid ground
Holdin' the candle between us, I'll tell you this

If that's what you need
I'll be the river, I'll be the mountain always beside you
If that's what you need
I will be stronger, I will be braver than ever before

And if there's any kind of danger
I hear you callin' out my name
You can follow in my footsteps
And I will lead you safely back again

I never understood you however hard I tried
But it took me a while until I realized
That all the problems were mine
Holdin' you nearer to me to tell you this

If that's what you need
I'll be the river, I'll be the mountain always beside you
If that's what you need
I will be stronger, I will be braver than ever before

And when things go wrong
I'll be your conscience, there to remind you all of your life
When you go wrong
I'll be the reason you'll be protected all of your days