[Verse 1] I signed my name in rooms that shook Turned rough ideas into something they could book Kept every receipt in a drawer by the bed Still hear a jury forming in my head I crossed the miles they said were too far Put my fingerprints on every open door They raised their glasses, called me by my name I nodded like approval was a claim [Pre-Chorus] You said, “We saw what you became” You said, “You earned your place” But praise arrives like borrowed clothes And slips right off my frame [Chorus] How many times do you have to tell me Before I let it reach my chest? I built the bridge, I crossed the distance I did the work, I passed the test You gave me every green light shining I still go looking for the red How many times do you have to tell me I’m not on trial again? [Verse 2] There’s a photograph above the kitchen sink A younger me who barely dared to think He’d trade his sleep for one approving nod Now he has a shelf full of proof and still feels caught The names I feared are names I know The rooms I begged for ask me back to show And when they say, “We always knew you could,” I hear the part that says I should [Pre-Chorus] You point to every finished thing And every hand I’ve helped I count the flaws between the lines Like evidence against myself [Chorus] How many times do you have to tell me Before I let it reach my chest? I built the bridge, I crossed the distance I did the work, I passed the test You gave me every green light shining I still go looking for the red How many times do you have to tell me I’m not on trial again? [Bridge] Tonight I’ll leave the files unopened Let the quiet say what it knows No more rehearsing my defense No more polishing the blows If you can see me, I will try To stand where your kindness lands Not earn another witness Just open both my hands [Final Chorus] You told me once, you told me plainly You told me every way you could I built the bridge, I crossed the distance I did the work, I did it good Your green lights fill the whole horizon There is no verdict overhead You don’t have to tell me anymore I’m letting it in instead [Outro] I’m letting it in I’m letting it in The door was never locked I’m letting it in
