I’ve seen that look in the mirror glass The one that says “just let it pass” Keep your head low, keep it calm Don’t rock the boat, don’t cause alarm It’s easy living half a voice Calling silence just a choice But quiet don’t protect your soul It just keeps you in control Stand up or stay small You can’t have both at all You can bow your head Or stand up tall Every line you draw Every wall Stand up Or stay small I let chances walk away Said I’d speak another day Waited for the perfect time Like courage works on borrowed time But truth don’t knock forever And fear don’t leave on its own You either plant your feet in place Or live like you’re alone Stand up or stay small There ain’t no middle ground You can hold your breath Or make a sound You can guard your pride Or lose it all Stand up Or stay small You might shake, you might bleed You might lose what you think you need But there’s a cost to playing safe And a bigger one to fade I’d rather fall on my own words Than live behind what I’ve rehearsed I’d rather break the quiet wall Than shrink and call it being strong Stand up or stay small When the line is drawn When the room goes still And the moment’s on No safe retreat No curtain call Stand up Or stay small When it’s said and done And the dust has fallen You’ll know who you were By what you called in Stand up or stay small
