[Intro] [Verse] Branches moved above my head. Earth was cold beneath my feet. Sounds without a name around me, Things I could not see. Drank the water from the stones. Wind came whispering through the trees. There among the fallen leaves, A little fire waited for me. [Instrumental] [Verse] Watched the little tongues of light Devour the branches one by one. Held my hands above the flames. Felt the warmth upon my skin. Reached to hold that golden light The way a child might touch the sun. [Instrumental] [Verse] The fire bit! I pulled away! The skin was red! The pain remained! I cursed the flame! I cursed the light! Then crawled back To its warmth that night! [Chorus] I held the fire. The fire held me. It gave me warmth, Then taught me pain. I held the fire. The fire held me. I learned to burn And live again. [Instrumental] [Verse] Found a branch too green to burn. Watched the smoke rise thick and white. Learned to feed the smallest flame And keep it breathing through the night. Things that hurt could still give warmth. Things that shone could leave a scar. Did not know what made them so, Only knew what lessons were. [Bridge] Learned to fear the flame, But not the face of man. Thought that hands which carried fire Might understand these hands. [Instrumental] [Final Chorus] I held the fire. The fire held me. It gave me warmth, Then taught me pain. The fire burns! The fire heals! I reached for light And learned to feel. [Outro] Gathered wood against the cold. Watched the embers through the rain. Knew the fire would burn my hands. Held them to its warmth again. [Instrumental] [End]
