[Intro]
Whispers in the hallways, promises in gold
But empty hands stay folded, stories left untold
[Verse 1]
You speak of thunder, of battles left to fight
While I count the hours, alone in the fading light
Your marching orders bloom, then wither to the floor
I hear the oath you measure by what you ignore
[Pre-Chorus]
If sacrifice is a banner you wave but never lift
Then I’m learning the distance between gift and rift
[Chorus]
I won’t walk the line you draw with a hollow crown
Your courage is a reflection you never allow down
If loyalty comes cheap and your hands stay clean and still
I’m turning away, choosing a wound I can heal
[Verse 2]
Your speeches blaze like sunrise, loud and grand
Yet when the night arrives, you’re not lend a hand
I’m not your echo, I’m not your empty vow
I’m choosing what’s earned, not what you pretend to endow
[Pre-Chorus]
The sacrifice you praise is only ink on your decree
I’m stepping back from the script you won’t redo for me
[Chorus]
I won’t walk the line you draw with a hollow crown
Your courage is a reflection you never allow down
If loyalty comes cheap and your hands stay clean and still
I’m turning away, choosing a wound I can heal
[Bridge]
Let the loud proclamations fade into the stalled air
I’ll find a path where effort follows where it’s shared and fair
[Chorus]
I won’t walk the line you draw with a hollow crown
Your courage is a reflection you never allow down
If loyalty comes cheap and your hands stay clean and still
I’m turning away, choosing a wound I can heal
[Outro]
Not the road you picture, not the tide you sell
I’ll stand where reciprocity breaks the spell