[Verse 1] You flinch, I see it spread Like smoke in a crowded head One scared look, one empty lie Then the whole room lowers its eyes You pull the drawbridge up And call it "being tough enough" But fear moves fast through blood and bone It makes a flock out of stone [Pre-Chorus] And I can feel it in the air That nervous hush, that stolen stare One dropped hand, one backward step Then everybody follows that [Chorus] Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious One heart caves, then the rest cave in I won't be your way of giving in Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious You pass it off like a poisoned kiss I cut it out, I don't live like this [Verse 2] You saw the door and chose the wall Called your retreat a stand at all You left your brother holding dust While you blamed the world for losing trust Now every promise in the hall Sounds smaller when you let it fall But I still hear a different sound A boot on floor, a soul that stands its ground [Pre-Chorus] And I can feel it in the air That nervous hush, that stolen stare One dropped hand, one backward step Then everybody follows that [Chorus] Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious One heart caves, then the rest cave in I won't be your way of giving in Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious You pass it off like a poisoned kiss I cut it out, I don't live like this [Bridge] [Half-time] I'm done swallowing your fear Done making your shadow clear If you want to fold, go ahead I won't kneel where you won't stand [Breakdown] Say it loud It spreads around But not through me Not through me [Final Chorus] Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious One heart caves, then the rest cave in I won't be your way of giving in Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious You pass it off like a poisoned kiss I cut it out, I don't live like this Cowardice is contagious Cowardice is contagious I raise my chin, I stay in view The brave part starts when I refuse
