Masks On Both Sides

[Intro — whispered, tense] I looked at you like a god… Never asked for your little opinions. Never asked for your hands on my face. Never asked for this mask. [STOMP… STOMP… STOMP…] [Verse 1] My father stands on the right side, holding up a mask like a crown, saying, “Wear this, it’ll save you,” while it slowly pins me down. It’s not skin, it’s not breathing, it’s an energetic lie, and every time he lifts it closer, I feel another part of me die. [YELL] Get it off me! Get it off me! [Pre-Chorus] At the end of the day, our masks stare back, two empty faces where the love should’ve cracked. You call it help, I call it chains. You call it wisdom, I call it pain. [Chorus — screamed, stomping] I’m blocked on the right! I’m blocked on the left! Pulled by the throat, can’t catch my breath! Opinions like walls, hands on my soul, you’re holding me back from the will I know! [SCREAM] I AM NOT YOUR MASK! I AM NOT YOUR WAR! I AM NOT THE CHILD YOU CAN CONTROL ANYMORE! [STOMP STOMP — CLAP — STOMP STOMP] [Verse 2] My mother stands on the left side, flowers blooming in her bones, I look at her like, “Can you see this? Can you hear me through the stones?” I’m begging for an answer, I’m begging for a hand, you were born from flowers, so why don’t you understand? I know you can face it, I know you can see, but silence is a cage when it’s closing in on me. [YELL] Say something! Do something! Don’t just watch me disappear! [Pre-Chorus 2] Right side pulling, left side crying, both sides swear they love me while my real self is dying. I’m done being holy for somebody else’s fear. I’m done being quiet so your conscience stays clear. [Chorus — bigger, angrier] I’m blocked on the right! I’m blocked on the left! Pulled by the throat, can’t catch my breath! Opinions like walls, hands on my soul, you’re holding me back from the will I know! [SCREAM] I AM NOT YOUR MASK! I AM NOT YOUR WAR! I AM NOT THE CHILD YOU CAN CONTROL ANYMORE! [Bridge — chaotic, tribal stomps] [STOMP] Right hand — chain! [STOMP] Left hand — chain! [STOMP] Same blood — same pain! [STOMP] Same damn cage! You pull me back and forth till my spirit starts to split, then ask me why I’m angry— I was born inside of it! Walls closing in, air getting thin, but somewhere in my chest there’s a riot kicking in. [SCREAMED BREAKDOWN] No more masks! No more hands! No more shrinking to fit your plans! No more voices in my head! I want God’s will, not your fear instead! [Final Chorus — full scream] I’m blocked on the right! I’m blocked on the left! But I’m breaking the chains with the rage in my chest! Opinions fall down, walls turn to dust, I’m done being buried under somebody’s “must.” [SCREAM] I AM NOT YOUR MASK! I AM NOT YOUR WAR! I AM NOT THE CHILD YOU CAN CONTROL ANYMORE! [Outro — breathless, defiant] Take your mask. Take your chains. Take your fear out of my name. I looked at you like a god… but I’m not kneeling anymore. [ONE FINAL STOMP] No.