[Verse 1] You ask me to smile while the verdict is forming A warm little room with a locked iron door I learned how to please by rehearsing the morning Then hated the person who asked me for more [Pre-Chorus] If I tell the whole truth, will you call it a wound? If I keep you from hurting, what happens to me? [Chorus] I want to be happy without turning cruel I want to be good without living by rules If mercy means breaking the shape that I’m in Tell me where kindness ends and I begin [Verse 2] Your coat on the chair, your untouched cup cooling The apology waits like a stone in my hand I could make you feel safe by pretending I’m certain Or leave you the truth and let silence withstand [Pre-Chorus] You deserve an answer; I deserve a life Both can be true when the room cuts like a knife [Chorus] I want to be happy without turning cruel I want to be good without living by rules If mercy means breaking the shape that I’m in Tell me where kindness ends and I begin [Bridge] No halo, no sentence, no clean way through Just one honest choice I can make with you I won’t call my fear a virtue again I won’t call your hurt the price of my peace [Final Chorus] I want to be happy and still choose what’s true I want to be good without vanishing for you If mercy means making a boundary clear Let it be gentle, let it be here [Outro] Let it be gentle Let it be here
