[Intro] They call it treason. I call it clarity. The difference between a traitor and a visionary is simply — who's left standing to write the history. [Verse 1] I sat at tables carved from lies and smiled at kings with empty eyes I learned the language — silk and knife — played loyal servant half my life [Pre-Chorus] But every man who bows his head is just a man who isn't dead And I have always been too fond of breathing past the point I'm conned [Chorus] All the pretty lies I wore like lace every borrowed truth, a borrowed face I didn't burn the crown — I simply let it fall Some men call it treason I call it standing tall You think I regret it. ...How charming. I regret exactly one thing — that it took me as long as it did. [Verse 2] They wanted saints with iron spines who'd bleed on cue between the lines I was the blade they sharpened well then left too close to what they'd sell [Pre-Chorus] So when the palace asked for more I gave them something to be sorry for A man who knows the cost of faith can choose to spend it somewhere safe [Chorus] All the pretty lies I wore like lace every borrowed truth, a borrowed face I didn't burn the crown — I simply let it fall Some men call it treason I call it standing tall [Bridge] There was a moment — once — I nearly chose the other way but loyalty is just a word for those who've never had to pay I paid in years I paid in silence I paid in every room I smiled through and swallowed the violence [Final Chorus] All the pretty lies I wore like lace every borrowed truth, a borrowed face I didn't burn the crown — I simply let it fall Some men call it treason [Whispered] ...I call it survival.
