Arena Made Me a Rebel

Verse 1 They dressed up the damage like it looked good on me, Put a smile on my face for the whole crowd to see. Everybody watched while I learned how to bleed, Like pain was a show and my silence was free. I was young in the arena, no map, no guide, Had to make a shelter out of things I survived. They called it “being strong” when I had no choice, Now they act surprised when I found my voice. Pre-Chorus I heard the cannon in my chest too many times, Lost pieces of myself but I still crossed the line. They wanted me scared, wanted me small, But I learned how to stand when they wanted me to crawl. Verse 2 They sent me into battle with my heart on display, Then judged how I healed when I limped away. Every sponsor disappeared when the cameras went black, But I stitched up my wounds and I carried me back. I know what it’s like to be hunted for sport, To be blamed for the fire when you needed support. But I’m not here to entertain anybody’s rage, I’m done being trapped in somebody else’s cage. Pre-Chorus 2 I heard them cheering when I almost broke, But they got real quiet when the phoenix woke. No crown from the Capitol could ever define The rebel I became when I reclaimed my life. Chorus I was never your tribute, Never your sacrifice. You can light up the fire, But I’m coming out alive. I was never your tribute, Not your game to control. You can build your arena, But you can’t own my soul. May the odds be against me, I still rise every time. I was never your tribute— This victory is mine. Bridge I don’t need a bow to prove I can aim, I don’t need applause to remember my name. I don’t need permission to leave this place, I was born with rebellion written on my face. And if they ask who survived the flame, Tell them the girl they counted out changed the game. Tell them I walked through the smoke and the screams, And I became more than their wildest dreams. Final Chorus I was never your tribute, Never your sacrifice. I turned all my bruises Into battle cries. I was never your tribute, Not your pawn, not your prize. You can call it a game, But I call it my life. May the odds be against me, I still rise every time. I was never your tribute— This victory is mine. Outro No more arena. No more chains. No more clapping For my pain. I was never your tribute. I was always the flame.