Before the World Tells You Who You Are

[Spoken Intro — soft, intimate, over a single violin] My babies... Before the world tells you who you're supposed to be, Before somebody teaches you to question your own reflection, There's something I wish someone had told me. And I need you to hear it from me first. [Verse 1 — fragile piano, whispered violin] I was a little girl with thunder in her chest, A thousand wild dreams and a heart that never rested. They told me, "Use your inside voice," As if being heard was something I could choose. So I folded up my wings to fit their expectations, Learned to call my differences complications. I spent too many years believing every lie, That I was somehow wrong for being alive. And I wish someone had knelt beside my bed, Brushed the tangled hair from my head, And told that little girl what I know now— So listen, my babies, I'll tell you how. [Pre-Chorus — violin begins to rise] You don't have to shrink to make them comfortable, Don't have to break to become lovable. The stars don't ask permission to shine, And neither should those hearts of mine. [Chorus — soaring electric violin, powerful drums] Before the world tells you who you are, Remember you were born among the stars. Not a mistake, not a burden to bear, Not too much for the love that's waiting there. Let them call you wild, let them call you strange, You weren't born to live inside their cage. And when their words leave invisible scars, Remember who you were before the world told you who you are. [Verse 2 — warm acoustic guitar, building strings] To my boys with their storms and their stubborn fire, Don't let anyone shame the way you're wired. You're allowed to cry, you're allowed to fall, Being strong doesn't mean feeling nothing at all. To my girl with her beautiful, wandering mind, Don't chase perfection until you leave yourself behind. You can be gentle and still stand tall, You don't owe anybody a smaller version at all. Seven different hearts, seven different skies, Seven little universes behind those eyes. And though your roads may lead where I can't see, You never have to become a copy of me. [Pre-Chorus — layered haunting harmonies] You're not a problem somebody needs to solve, You're a beautiful soul who's allowed to evolve. Even when you stumble, even when you fall, You are worthy through it all. [Chorus — full orchestral rock] Before the world tells you who you are, Remember you were born among the stars. Not a mistake, not a burden to bear, Not too much for the love that's waiting there. Let them call you wild, let them call you strange, You weren't born to live inside their cage. And when their words leave invisible scars, Remember who you were before the world told you who you are. [Bridge — music drops to heartbeat drum and solo violin] [Almost whispered] I can't promise you won't hurt. I can't promise skies stay blue. I can't fight every shadow That comes reaching out for you. [Voice grows stronger] But I can promise you this truth— There's nothing you must prove. You don't have to earn my love, It already belongs to you. [Explosive electric violin solo] And if someday you forget, If your light feels far away, Play this song and hear your mama Say what no one thought to say! [Final Chorus — triumphant, emotional, soaring] Before the world tells you who you are, Remember you were born among the stars! Every crack and every color, every beautifully different part, Is a constellation written on your heart! You don't have to shrink, you don't have to change, You don't have to carry anybody else's shame! And if the whole world tries to pull your light apart, Remember who you were before the world told you who you are! [Outro — violin fades beneath a mother's voice] [Softly sung] Before the names... Before the scars... Before the world... You were already stars. [Spoken] I wish someone had told me. So I'm telling you. I love you exactly as you are. Love, Mama.