[Intro – Piano] I hear the bells above me, Like thunder in the rain. A thousand voices call me, But none of them know my name. [Verse 1] White walls rise before me, Golden fire across the sky. They say, “Confess your sins now, And leave your past behind.” But every scar upon me Is a page I had to write. I won't erase my story Just to step into the light. [Pre-Chorus] If you want me on my knees, You'll be waiting endlessly. [Chorus] Open the gates of Heaven, Or leave me here outside. I will not beg forgiveness For the way I lived my life. Let every angel judge me, Let every bell ignite. If Heaven needs me broken, Then I'll walk into the night. Open the gates! Open the gates! Or watch me turn away. [Verse 2] I hear the saints behind them, Whispering like ghosts. Counting every failure, Remembering what hurt the most. But where were all your angels When I screamed into the dark? Where was holy mercy When the world tore me apart? I learned to stand without you. I learned to breathe through pain. So don't offer me salvation If submission is the price I pay. [Pre-Chorus] I have crawled through hell before. I won't crawl across your floor. [Chorus] Open the gates of Heaven, Or leave me here outside. I will not beg forgiveness For the way I lived my life. Let every angel judge me, Let every bell ignite. If Heaven needs me broken, Then I'll walk into the night. Open the gates! Open the gates! Or watch me turn away. [Bridge – quiet piano] Maybe I was never holy. Maybe I was never clean. But I held the hands of broken souls When no angel could be seen. [Heavy guitars enter] So tell your God I'm waiting. Tell the choir not to sing. I didn't come for mercy. I came to ask one thing— [Breakdown] WAS I WRONG TO SURVIVE? Was I wrong to fight? WAS I WRONG TO KEEP A FIRE WHEN YOU LEFT ME IN THE NIGHT? [Final Chorus] OPEN THE GATES OF HEAVEN! I'm done with being afraid. I carried every wound you saw, And still I found my way. Let every angel judge me. Let Heaven speak tonight. If there's no room for souls like mine, THEN I DON'T NEED YOUR LIGHT! Open the gates! Open the gates! Or leave me with the night. [Outro – Piano] The gates remained before me. I smiled... and walked away.
