Borrowed Heart

Lyrics

[Verse 1] I had a friend who wore a careless grin Said a cruel word like it couldn’t hurt the skin I asked what it meant, she said, “I don’t know” But not knowing doesn’t make the damage go She’d never opened a history book Never asked who paid for the life she took I said, “Listen close, this is where we start: You can’t claim a clean hand with a borrowed heart.” [Pre-Chorus] Ignorance is not a shield Silence leaves the wound unhealed If you learn, then change your part Truth begins with a willing heart [Chorus] Say the word for what it is Don’t dress hate in innocence Learn the names, the stolen years Face the facts beneath the fear You can choose to turn around Lay that old belief back down No excuse can make it right Change begins when you face the light [Verse 2] She asked me, “What was slavery?” I said, “People chained for somebody else’s liberty Families split, names erased, wages never paid A system built by power, not a mistake somebody made.” Her face went still; the room got small Sometimes truth feels heavier than walls I told her, “You can grieve and still grow But the first step is admitting what you don’t know.” [Pre-Chorus] Ignorance is not a shield Silence leaves the wound unhealed If you learn, then change your part Truth begins with a willing heart [Chorus] Say the word for what it is Don’t dress hate in innocence Learn the names, the stolen years Face the facts beneath the fear You can choose to turn around Lay that old belief back down No excuse can make it right Change begins when you face the light [Bridge] Read the testimony, listen when they speak Don’t make the wounded teach you gently every week Apology is only air until your actions move A better world is built by what you choose to do [Final Chorus] Say the word for what it is Don’t dress hate in innocence Learn the names, the stolen years Face the facts beneath the fear You can choose to turn around Lay that old belief back down No excuse can make it right Change begins when you face the light [Outro] I had a friend who didn’t understand Now she’s learning how to take a different stand The past stays true, but people can still start With an open book and an honest heart