I Was a Child

🎤 Artist: Blizz ✍️ Original Poem: Madok 🖤 Lyrics Adapted by: Blizz 🎨 Artwork: GhettoSmurf A special thank you to Madok, who took the time to listen to one of my songs and turned what he heard into a powerful poem. His words inspired me to bring that poem to life through music. Thank you, Madok, for putting into words something so deeply personal to me. 💙🫶 ❄️__________________________________❄️ [Intro: whispered, almost spoken, piano only] Stay quiet. Don’t answer back. Don’t make him angry. Stay out of his way. [Verse 1: intimate, fragile, close-mic] Why did everybody have an answer? And why was every answer about me? Like there was some version of me Who could’ve stopped it all. If I had been softer, If I had stayed small. Quieter. Easier. Careful with every breath. Like better behavior Could’ve changed what happened next. [Pre-Chorus: rising, strings enter] How does a grown man lose control, Then blame the smallest one? How does his anger become my fault When I was only young? Which word? Which look? Which step? Which “no”? How was I supposed to know? [Chorus: fuller, aching belt, not a shout yet] I was a child. I was a child. I shouldn’t have to say it twice. I didn’t need better behavior. I needed someone on my side. I tried being good. I tried being quiet. I disappeared to survive. So why was I the one They kept asking to change While they kept defending his life? I was a child. I was a child. Why couldn’t anyone see I needed protection, Not correction? Why was the answer always me? [Verse 2: colder, tighter, low cello] Mom had reasons. He had suffered. I shouldn’t push. I shouldn’t speak. Everybody understood his pain, But no one understood me. How did his past become an excuse? How did my pain become disrespect? Why did the ones who should’ve saved me Teach me how to expect less? [Bridge: spoken-sung, hurt turning sharp] And Mom, You were supposed to protect me. That’s the part that never leaves. I didn’t need you to explain him. I needed you to stand with me. [Chorus: harder, drums in] I was a child. I was a child. I shouldn’t have to say it twice. I didn’t need better behavior. I needed someone on my side. I tried being good. I tried being quiet. I disappeared to survive. So why was I the one They kept asking to change While they kept defending his life? [Verse 3: present tense, uneasy pulse] Now I’m older. Different man. Somehow, it sounds the same. “Don’t provoke him.” “Let it go.” “He’ll change.” “Just give him time.” How does someone hurting me Become something I should handle? Still carrying all those questions That never belonged to the kid. [Breakdown: almost a cappella, then one piano note] I don’t need to know Why everything happened. I only needed someone to say: “This was too much For a child to carry. You were never the one to blame.” [Final Chorus: full band, cracked belt into raw scream] I was a child. Say it again. I was a child. I didn’t need to be quieter. I didn’t need to obey the pain. I didn’t need better behavior To make a grown man change. I WAS A CHILD! I WAS A CHILD! And I’ll say it as many times As it takes to believe it. I didn’t need better behavior. I needed someone to see it. I tried being good. I tried being quiet. I did everything to survive. So why was I the one They kept asking to change While nobody questioned why? I WAS A CHILD! I needed protection, Not correction. I needed arms around me. [Outro: strip to voice, then one hit, then silence] Stay quiet. Don’t answer back. Don’t make him angry. No. I was a child. He was responsible. The answer was never me. I……… Was……… A……… Fucking……… Child……… [End: sudden cut]