[Intro] There's a girl in the smoke of my memory Still running, still seven, still free I close my eyes and I'm back on that street Before the fire took everything [Verse 1] I remember the market, the spice in the air Papa's hands in my hair Mama laughing at something he said Before the sky turned red We ran when the bells started ringing Left the door open, didn't stop for a thing I held on to Mama, she held onto me Papa stayed back... he stayed for me [Pre-Chorus] And I didn't know — I didn't know That was the last time I'd see him at all I was just a kid who wanted to go home I didn't know [Chorus] So I carry Mistmere like a scar I don't hide A house made of ashes, a girl made of fire I lost my father in the smoke that night But I'm still standing — that's my fight Oh, I grew up in the rubble and the rain Learned to love this life in spite of all the pain This is my song for the girl I used to be Running scared through the trees [Verse 2] Half a year in a cold stone room Waiting to hear if home was gone too Mama's hand never once let go Even when neither of us knew I counted footsteps down the hall Prayed to hear his voice through the wall Every silence felt like a year Every whisper, a knife made of fear [Pre-Chorus] And I didn't know — I didn't know Some prayers don't get answered at all I was just a kid who wanted to go home I didn't know [Chorus] So I carry Mistmere like a scar I don't hide A house made of ashes, a girl made of fire I lost my father in the smoke that night But I'm still standing — that's my fight Oh, I grew up in the rubble and the rain Learned to love this life in spite of all the pain This is my song for the girl I used to be Running scared through the trees [Bridge] We walked back into the ash of our street... Nothing left standing... nothing but debris... And Mama just stood there and started to cry And that's how I knew — that's how I knew he'd died He carried me out and he went back for her Went back for a life that the fire preferred He never once asked what it'd cost him to stay Papa, I never got to say... [Full Stop] I never got to say goodbye [Final Chorus] So I carry Mistmere like a scar I don't hide A house made of ashes, a girl made of fire I lost my father, but I found my spine He's the reason I'm still alive Oh, I grew up in the rubble and the rain Turned my father's love into a hurricane This is my song for the girl I used to be — And, Papa... look what she's become. That's you in me [Outro] There's a girl in the smoke of my memory Still running... still seven... still free I don't run from that fire anymore I just carry the light he left at my door
