[Intro – whispered over a pulsing guitar] I drew her fearless I drew her loud Standing where I’d disappear into the crowd Nine lives in ink Gold eyes in the dark Maybe she was always My missing part [Verse 1 – restrained, tense] She lives between the paper lines With steady hands and perfect timing She never freezes at the door She never checks the locks once more She bears her teeth and takes the hit She knows exactly where she fits While I stay small and out of sight And draw her saving me each night [Pre-Chorus – drums begin to build] But every time my heartbeat races I can feel her changing places Claws beneath my shaking hands Like she’s waiting for command [Chorus – explosive and melodic] Let the Ninth Life out Let her tear across the page I am done with drawing courage While I tremble in the cage Let the Ninth Life out Hear the little girl get loud I don’t have to lose my fear To make the monster proud Open up Stand aside Feel the animal arrive Let the Ninth Life out tonight [Verse 2 – stronger, more determined] They taught my bones to shift and break Turned every fear into a shape They chose the teeth, designed the skin But they don’t get to choose within The cat that crawled through narrow halls The claws that tore apart their walls The ancient beast that brought me home They’re mine now I am not alone [Pre-Chorus – rising harmony] Every scar becomes a line Every borrowed shape is mine I can shake and still attack I can run and still come back [Chorus – heavier] Let the Ninth Life out Let her tear across the page I am done with drawing courage While I tremble in the cage Let the Ninth Life out Hear the little girl get loud I don’t have to lose my fear To make the monster proud Open up Stand aside Feel the animal arrive Let the Ninth Life out tonight [Post-Chorus – layered vocals] Small paws Sharp claws Gold eyes No pause Nine lives One name My choice My change [Bridge – drops to piano and quiet vocals] Ninth Life Are you listening? I made you everything I thought I couldn’t be But your courage came from somewhere Every color, every line Every time you stood back up That stubborn heart was mine [Build – voice gaining strength] So I don’t need you to save me I don’t need to disappear You were never someone better You were me without the fear No— You were me who kept the fear And moved anyway [Breakdown – distorted guitar, pounding drums] Unlock the jaw Uncurl the spine The fur, the fangs The shape is mine No white rooms No numbered name This time I choose This time I change [Final Chorus – huge, triumphant] Let the Ninth Life out Watch her leap beyond the page I will turn their stolen weapon Into something brave Let the Ninth Life out Hear Minerva roaring loud I can carry all my fear And still protect this town Open up Stand aside See the girl and beast unite Let the Ninth Life out Let the Ninth Life out I choose the claws I choose the fight Let the Ninth Life out tonight [Outro – music softens, warm vocals] I drew her fearless But now I know She was just the part of me I was afraid to show Nine lives in ink Gold eyes in the dark I close the book And let her start
