[Intro — soft piano] I thought I was right, I thought I was strong, I thought if I carried the pain, It would all mean something. [Verse 1] I gave them fear, Because they never heard our cries. I built a dream From all the things they left behind. I was not kind, But kindness never fed the poor. I made my hands unclean, So Zaun could ask for more. [Pre-Chorus] And maybe I was wrong, Maybe I was blind, But I swear every broken road Had freedom on my mind. [Chorus] So don’t hate me when I’m gone, Don’t let them say I didn’t care. I was fighting for a home, For the ones left choking there. If I became the darkest part, If I lost myself in night, I hope you know, my child, I thought I was right. [Verse 2] Jinx, you were not a curse, You were not a mistake. You were the only piece of me The world could never take. I saw your broken heart, And I called it beautiful. Maybe I held too tight, Maybe I loved too cruel. I wanted you to live Without begging for their grace. I wanted you to stand And never hide your face. [Pre-Chorus 2] And maybe I failed you, Maybe I made scars, But I loved you in the only way I knew with this heart. [Chorus] So don’t hate me when I’m gone, Don’t let them say I didn’t care. I was fighting for a home, For the ones left choking there. If I became the darkest part, If I lost myself in night, I hope you know, my child, I thought I was right. [Bridge — very soft] I wanted peace, But I carried war. I wanted freedom, But I kept score. I wanted Zaun To finally rise. I wanted you safe, Even if I lied. And if love made me cruel, Then let that be my crime. I would choose you again In every other life. [Final Chorus — fragile] So don’t hate me when I’m gone, Don’t remember only pain. I was trying to build a world Where they could not chain your name. If I became the darkest part, If I disappeared from light, I hope you know, my child, I thought I was right. [Outro — whispered] You were perfect. You were mine. And everything I did… I thought I was right.
