[ Verse 1[
They say I carry fortune like a name
Untouched by fire, unmarked by flame
I walk through storms that take the rest
And wear composure like a dress
Boots in the mud, commands held tight
I keep them steady through the night
They look to me—I don’t let it show
How close I am to letting go
[Verse 2]
I’ve seen the drakes descend like sin
And watched good men not rise again
Heard final words I can’t repeat
Still feel their blood beneath my feet
They call it fate, or something blessed
A life preserved while laid to rest
But what they praise, I’ve come to fear
Why am I still standing here?
[Pre-Chorus]
I do not run, I do not break
No matter what it’s going to take
But courage isn’t what they see
It’s just what’s left of me
[Chorus]
I’m still standing anyway
Through the fire, through the fray
Every name I couldn’t save
Echoes louder every day
If this is grace, I cannot say
Why it always goes this way
They fall around me in the flame
And I walk out… and bear their names
[Verse 3]
Redcoats line where I command
They trust the lift of just one hand
“Hold your ground,” I hear it clear
Even when I taste the fear
I’ve learned to speak without a shake
To give the orders they won’t question or break
But every step that leads me through
Feels like I’m leaving them to—
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I won’t collapse, I won’t retreat
Not while they’re still on their feet
But something in me keeps a score
Of every loss and more
[Chorus]
I’m still standing anyway
Through the smoke and shattered day
Every face I couldn’t keep
Follows me into my sleep
If this is strength, then why does it stay
Like a debt I’ll always pay
They fall in lines I cannot save
And I walk on… past their graves
[Bridge – restrained, then cracking]
I was raised to stand with grace
To hold my ground, to know my place
But no one taught me what to do
When I’m the one who makes it through
No prayer has answered why I’m spared
No justice found, no balance there
Just one more dawn, one more command
With ghosts that march at my demand
[Final Chorus – fuller, breaking control slightly]
I’m still standing anyway
Though I’ve given parts away
Every life I couldn’t keep
Is carved in me too deep
If I must lead, I’ll lead this way
Through the night into the day
Let the fire take what it may
I’ll walk back in… anyway
[Outro – quiet, resolved but heavy]
They call it fortune… let them say
I know the price I’m here to pay
And when they fall, I do not flee
I carry them… with me
ElCeviche
