[Intro - Quiet piano] Other kids learnt the bell. I learnt the room. [Verse 1 - Low, measured rap] Could tell how the night went by how a cup landed, Read a whole mood off the way someone was standing. Didn't know names for the things in my chest, Just knew being quiet sometimes worked best. Telly on loud, but I heard every change, One shift in a voice and the air felt strange. Homework open, eyes off the page, Trying to act normal at a normal kid's age. Kept the answers short when a teacher would ask, Got good at looking fine as a full-time task. Someone said mature. I accepted the praise. Didn't know growing early came with unpaid days. [Build] Little shoulders, adult weight. Learnt to watch before I learnt to play. Kick comes in— Let the kid have a say. [Chorus - Shouted drop] TOO YOUNG! TO KNOW THAT SOUND! TOO SMALL! TO HOLD IT DOWN! I READ THAT ROOM TILL I LOST MY VOICE— NOW HEAR ME LOUD! NOW I GOT A CHOICE! [Verse 2 - Rapid, tight syllables] Checked the tone, checked the door, checked the footsteps, Never checked what I needed till there was nothing left. Kid at the desk with a head full of weather, Trying to hold everybody else together. No little hero, no magical insight, Just scared of getting caught on the wrong side. Should've been bored. Should've been loud. Should've had space to just muck around. I can't hand those years back to myself, Can stop calling that fear something else. When I say I grew up too soon, I mean I was still a boy watching the room. [Bridge - Piano] If you grew up safe, I'm glad you did. Just don't call me lucky For learning like this. [Final Chorus - Full drums] TOO YOUNG! TO KNOW THAT SOUND! TOO SMALL! TO HOLD IT DOWN! I READ THAT ROOM TILL I LOST MY VOICE— NOW HEAR ME LOUD! NOW I GOT A CHOICE!
