I learned to smile before I spoke To hide the places that were broke Somehow silence wore my name Until I thought we were the same [breath] I built my walls with careful hands Brick by brick from shifting sands Safe enough to keep out pain Strong enough to stay the same [pre-chorus] Every mask Had its reason Every scar Kept its season [chorus] Shadows don’t define me They were only where the light Hadn’t reached me yet Every step I couldn’t see Still became a part of me Shadows don’t define me They remind me How far I’ve come [instrumental breath] [Verse 2] I stopped fighting every ghost Stopped counting what they almost stole Found a voice beneath the noise Waiting quietly for my choice Some reflections fade away Others ask if they can stay I don’t fear them anymore They don’t own this room [pre-chorus] Every mask Had its reason Every scar Kept its season [chorus] Shadows don’t define me They were only where the light Hadn’t reached me yet Every step I couldn’t see Still became a part of me Shadows don’t define me They remind me How far I’ve come [bridge] I became Who I needed Not because That’s who I was But because I wanted to survive [breath] Now I can choose [final chorus] Shadows don’t define me They became the road That led me here Every breath I held too long Has finally become a song Shadows don’t define me They remind me That I’m still becoming [quiet outro] Tonight I leave one behind.
