Protector

Lyrics

[Verse 1] They said "You missed your shot" Tiny hands Too big a dream Every word A heavy stone But I tucked them in my sleeve Walked home on the cracked grey path Echoed names they used on me Turned that sting into a shield Wore it where they couldn’t see [Chorus] You were my protector Every doubt Every cruel Careless line I held you closer Turned their shadows into my design They tried to write my ending there But I learned to breathe in thinner air You were my protector You kept the fire alive [Verse 2] I heard them through the bedroom wall Listing all the ways I’d fail So I sketched a different map On the back of school newsletters and mail Every “no” became a rung On a ladder only I could climb They named all the things I wasn’t I became the rest in time [Chorus] You were my protector Every doubt Every cruel Careless line I held you closer Turned their shadows into my design They tried to write my ending there But I learned to breathe in thinner air You were my protector You kept the fire alive [Bridge] Now they say they always knew Funny how their stories change But the kid who heard those words Still walks with me through every stage I don’t need their praise to stay I just need that younger me Holding tight to every wound Till it grew into my wings [Chorus] You were my protector Every doubt Every cruel Careless line I held you closer Turned their shadows into my design They tried to write my ending there But I learned to breathe in thinner air You were my protector You kept the fire You were my protector You kept the fire alive