Coward

Verse 1

I didn't run. I stood my ground

They fired. I stayed. I heard the sound

Don't ask me what the records claim

The dead don't get to clear their name

Pre-Chorus

I faced the fire

I wore the blame

But silence carves the deepest name

Chorus

Don't call me coward

Don't speak my name

I'd rather hell than wear that flame

You see the crack. I feel the flood

I built this mask from ash and blood

Verse 2

Their whispers chased me down the hall

Their verdict echoing off the walls

I feel the stare. I see the stain

But I won't kneel, I won't explain

Pre-Chorus

I held my breath

I clenched the lie

No scream escapes a man who hides

Chorus

Don't call me coward

Not in that voice

I've choked on silence, killed by choice

You see the wound,I wear the thorn

I'll burn this name and be reborn

Bridge

They said I cracked…

I swore I didn't

…I saw the door

…and I turned

But you don't know what I saw there…

…what was waiting

Chorus

Don't call me coward

Don't speak that word

The name still burns, all I've heard

No absolution, no last breath

Just what I lost when I chose death

Over standing, over truth

Over everything I was in youth

Outro

Coward… coward… coward…