From the recording Toe the Line
Lyrics
They wrote rules on my ribs
Tried to choreograph my breaths
Said “walk straight, talk soft”
I ate their limits, taste like lead
They want yes-man posture
Hands tied, tongue tucked in
Smile for the slaughter
Polished mask on rusted skin
“Stand here, wait longer”
Every favor, every whim
They take mile after mile
Off the bones inside my grin
I’ve been shrinking for their comfort
Lowered my volume to blend in
Bit my curses into ulcers
Let their gossip coat my skin
But that script keeps getting tighter
Pulled across my throat to sing
I see fingerprints of strangers
On every goddamn thing
I been marching in a maze they built
Step for step in a suit of guilt
Heart on mute just to win their tilt
But this is where that armor melts
You want me to toe that line?
Cut the cord, I’m stepping out
You want me to sing your lie?
Hear me now, I’m burning down
It ends fucking now
It ends fucking now
All your hands on my mouth, on my crown
Get ‘em off, ‘cause it ends fucking now
They script every answer
“How you doing?” “Doing fine”
They sell tiny approval
Like communion made of lies
I’ve been choking on their standards
Like a tie around my spine
Every compliment a collar
Every silence, “stay in line”
Tried to sand off all my angles
Just to fit inside their frame
But my scars don’t fit their canvas
And my rage won’t take their name
I’m not here to be their echo
Or a dummy on their string
If my truth offends their comfort
Let their comfort fucking sink
I’ve been dancing in a cage too small
Clawing space in a padded wall
Every “should” like a curtain call
But I ain’t dying in their hall
Rip their labels from my chest
Every word they branded in
Every “ought to,” every “must”
Watch it blister off my skin
All the “sit down,” “stay down,” “calm down,” “slow”
Turn to kindling when I say “go”
If they loved me only silent, tight, controlled
They can miss me, ‘cause that version’s gone cold