Paper Crown

[Intro – Backup Whispers, Calliope Eerie Melody] (Whispers) “They’ll make you princess, they’ll lift you high,” “Their true gift is pain, their goodwill a lie.” --- [Verse 1] They told me I was grown, so I played the part, A lone grown-up girl with a child’s heart. With men who’d known me — goodwill they’d shown me, Gifts and kind smiles — but oh, how they owned me. --- [Pre-Chorus] My head’s getting heavy, the floor starts to sway, They said I was ready, but there was no way. Too dizzy to run, too muddled to pray, “Smile girl, you can’t fight, surrender to the night!” --- [Chorus] Under the blind skies, I spin and spin, The party hides the ache within. A toast to youth, a drink to lies, Cheers to secrets small towns hide. --- [Bridge 1 – Calliope Taunting] “Hush, dearie, drink it down — enjoy the taste of shame!” “Floozys get attention, but also take the blame.” “Drink their poison, spin around,” “Don’t fly too high, you’ll hit the ground.” --- [Verse 2] The wine’s all gone, they say I’m a woman now, Whispered it soft, took back my paper crown. Burned my virtue to warm the night, And Heaven’s stars turned eyes from sight. --- [Pre-Chorus] My head’s getting heavy, the floor starts to sway, They said I was ready, but there was no way. Too dizzy to run, too muddled to pray, “Smile girl, you can’t fight, surrender to the night!” --- [Chorus] Under the blind skies, I spin and spin, The party hides the ache within. A toast to youth, a drink to lies, Cheers to secrets small towns hide. --- [Bridge 2 – Calliope Taunting] “The gas-house walls couldn’t keep thee,” “From inhuman hands, so cruel, so filthy.” “She laughs, she cries, she hurts, she burns,” “The wicked wheel spins, but it never turns.” --- [Verse 3] Oh, I long for the days when I was free, When my world was a boy — and that boy was me. Now darkness is cold, the stars fade away, I’m a woman now — it’s not a fair trade. --- [Pre-Chorus] My head’s getting heavy, the floor starts to sway, They said I was ready, but there was no way. Too dizzy to run, too muddled to pray, “Smile girl, you can’t fight, surrender to the night!” --- [Final Chorus] Under the blind skies, I spin and spin, The party hides the ache within. A toast to youth, a drink to lies, Cheers to secrets small towns hide. --- [Outro – Whispered Ad-libs + Calliope Fade] (Whispered) “Hush now, princess, the night’s at an end…” The fires have passed, the starlight grows dim. Your crown turned to ash, your voice grown thin, But deep inside, your song remains — A rebel heart, in rusted chains. (Calliope fades out with soft, cruel giggles…)