(Intro) (Soft piano melody, slow acoustic guitar strumming) (Whispered vocals) It was a beautiful day... We were just having fun... I was only six years old... (Verse 1) Sunlight shining, a innocent afternoon A friendly face, a voice that spoke too soon In the back of my mind, a quiet little voice said "No" "Don't walk with strangers, don't let your guards go" But he was smiling, said "Let's take a frame" Just a quick photo, just a harmless game I took his hand, I couldn't see the light fade In a split second, a nightmare was made (Pre-Chorus) In an instant, everything was torn apart A shattered world, a broken heart I walked away a different child, a different soul Losing the trust that made me whole (Chorus) And the trauma remains, deep in the skin Living with the wounded child within Even after years, even through the tears Older shadows still trigger my fears What started as a bright day ended in the dark Leaving an eternal, painful mark (Verse 2) Years turned to decades, the memory stays tight Catching me off guard in the middle of the night Heavy is the coat that I carried so long Trying to figure out where I belong Through therapy's grace, I shed a little weight Learning to accept, learning to navigate (Bridge) (Music builds up, powerful drums and swelling strings) I am still living, I am learning to heal Loving who I am and the strength that is real This pain shaped my life, but it won't be my end I found the lost child and became her best friend (Vocals rising with intensity) But the anger stays hot, a fiery light For every small soul stolen in the night! What is wrong in your heads? What is wrong in your hearts? How could you tear a child’s spirit apart? (Chorus) And the trauma remains, deep in the skin Living with the wounded child within Even after years, even through the tears Older shadows still trigger my fears What started as a bright day ended in the dark Leaving an eternal, painful mark (Outro) (Music gradually softens, returning to delicate piano) (Strong, clear spoken-word / vocal echo) Hear my voice now, hear what I say: Leave the children alone. Let them grow up in peace. Let them dance in the sun. (Soft piano fades out) I survive. I am whole. Leave the children in peace.
