Verse 1 I used to count the cracks To measure time Wait for someone else To draw the line But I got tired Of keeping score When I’m the one I’ve been waiting for Pre-Chorus You can call it pride You can call it cold I call it finally Taking hold Chorus I’m not asking For your permission anymore Not waiting for a knock On a half-locked door You don’t get to name Who I become I’m not asking I’m just done Verse 2 You said strength looks mean On a face like mine But I built peace Out of every fight You mistook my silence For something owed But I’ve got miles And I walk them alone Pre-Chorus You can call it pride You can call it strange But I stopped breaking Just to change Chorus I’m not asking For your permission anymore Not waiting for a knock On a half-locked door You don’t get to name Who I become I’m not asking I’m just done Bridge (soft, then full-band surge) Every “maybe” I swallowed down Every “sorry” I never meant All turned into armor I don’t have to defend Final Chorus I’m not asking For your permission anymore Not standing in the shadows Of the way it was before You can keep your echo I’ll keep my sun I’m not asking I’m just done Outro (clean guitar, fading vocal) Done asking. Still rising.
