[Verse 1] Sometimes I feel like I’m not a man And I don’t really know what I am They tell me, “Son, you’ll figure it out” I’ve been waiting, still filled with doubt My dad made strength look easy somehow I wear his boots, they don’t fit me now [Pre-Chorus] I know I’m supposed to take control Be the steady hand, the solid soul But every time the moment comes My heart beats loud, my feet go numb [Chorus] I’m just a boy pretending to be a man Trying to read a map I don’t understand Everybody says, “You’ll find your place” So why do I still feel out of place? Tell me when does the feeling end? When do I stop having to pretend? Maybe everybody’s just scared like I am… Just a boy pretending to be a man. [Verse 2] I fake a smile when I shake your hand Hope nobody sees how much I panic They call me “sir” and it sounds so strange Like they’re talking to somebody changed I wish confidence came with age Instead of learning how to hide the shame Every mirror tells a different lie “You’ll get there…” but never tells me why [Bridge] I always thought one day I’d wake up Certain of every choice I’d make Like all the men I looked up to Never bent… never broke… never shook Maybe growing up isn’t losing fear Maybe it’s carrying it year after year Maybe nobody’s got the answers planned… [Final Chorus] I’m just a boy pretending to be a man Learning that maybe nobody understands Maybe the strongest ones I’ve ever known Felt just as lost when they were alone If that’s the truth… then maybe I can Stop chasing someone I’ll never become Maybe being a man isn’t never being scared… Maybe it’s showing up anyway.
