[Verse 1] I used to laugh at the warnings, Chased the flame just to feel alive. Every scar was a trophy, Every fall was part of the climb. They said, “You’ll regret it someday,” But I was deaf to the sound. Now I echo their voices As I watch the next ones drown. [Pre-Chorus] I swore I’d never be like them— Now I’m screaming the same refrain. Funny how wisdom wears The face of yesterday’s pain. [Chorus] But it wasn’t all wasted time, It was a blueprint drawn in fire. Every wrong turn, every lie Built the bones of my desire. Now I pass the torch I once ignored, To the reckless hearts still chasing more. It wasn’t all wasted time— It was the map of what not to find. [Verse 2] I see myself in their hunger, In the chaos they call truth. Trading gold for illusions, Just like I did in my youth. I reach out with open hands, But they recoil like I did too. You can’t teach a storm to listen Until it’s thundered through. [Pre-Chorus] I swore I’d never be like them— Now I’m mouthing the same old lines. It’s a curse and it’s a calling, To try and save them in time. [Chorus] But it wasn’t all wasted time, It was a blueprint drawn in fire. Every wrong turn, every lie Built the bones of my desire. Now I pass the torch I once ignored, To the reckless hearts still chasing more. It wasn’t all wasted time— It was the map of what not to find. [Bridge] (spoken/screamed blend) I was young, I was loud, I was blind— Now I’m older, still loud, but I’ve learned: The fire doesn’t care who it burns When you think you’re flameproof. And I still carry the smoke in my lungs, But I breathe deeper now. [Breakdown] (soft build into heavy drop) So go ahead, ignore me. Make your own mistakes. But when the silence finds you— Know I tried to show the way. I won’t say “I told you so,” But I’ll be here when you break. [Final Chorus] It wasn’t all wasted time, It was the myth I had to live. Every bruise became a sign Of the love I failed to give. Now I sing to the ones who won’t hear, Hoping someday they’ll draw near. It wasn’t all wasted time— It was the cost of learning to climb. [Outro] (soft, fading) No, it wasn’t all wasted time… It was just the long way home.
