The Table

Lyrics

Verse 1 — I did everything they told me to Worked twice as hard, kept my head down too Learned when to speak, learned when to wait Learned how to smile while they shifted weight I brought the ledger, I did the work Made myself anchor, proved my worth Thought if I poured enough in the glass Someday they’d hand me a badge to pass Pre-Chorus So I waited Patient and polite Handing my compass To someone else’s north and night Chorus 1 I deserve a seat at the table I’ve earned my place in this room I’ve carried the weight I’ve paid every due So look at what I’ve done Look at what I can be I deserve a seat at the table Won’t somebody make room for me? Verse 2 — Then somewhere between proving and pleasing I started asking what I was breathing Another gold star, another green light Another voice whispering almost right Who poured the mortar? Who drew the floor? Who taught me threshold meant locked door? Why am I standing outside the glass Auditioning ghosts for a pass to pass? Pre-Chorus And it hit me Like a match to a dry pine line: Why am I renting A shadow that’s already mine? Chorus 2 Why the fuck am I standing and waiting For you to slide me a seat? Why am I asking permission To stand on my own two feet? I know what I bring I know what I know If you won't make room I own the floor below Why am I wasting my weather On skies you control? Bridge — Maybe I don’t need your invitation Maybe I don’t need your validation Maybe being welcomed isn’t freedom If I have to carve ribs to fit your podium I can love without surrender I can listen and disagree I can open every door I want Without handing you the key I spent half my life thinking power Was a crown that someone bestowed Turns out the only architecture Is the weight of the road I strode Final Chorus — Actually Break the table Burn the empty chair Stop shrinking down to fit a room That never planned to put me there Keep your seat Keep your rules Keep deciding who gets through I’m done asking to belong To something I can build better than you I’ll build my own damn empire Hell, maybe I don’t need one at all Maybe power isn’t getting invited Maybe power is ignoring the call I’ve got a voice And I’m gonna use it I’ve got a choice And I’m gonna choose it I’m not waiting I’m not asking I’m not standing at your door I thought I wanted a seat at the table Fucking watch the floor. Outro First I said, I deserve a seat. Then I asked, Why the fuck am I waiting for you to hand me one? Now? Burn the wood. I’ve got somewhere else to stand. (Pause) Fuck it. Break the table.