[Verse 1]
Age eleven, washing bottles in the sink
Math book open
baby crying on the pink
Carpet stained with last night’s fight
Hid my toys in a box
then I turned out the light
You were yelling through the paper walls
I was learning how to lie
when my friend would call
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little tired”
While another plate smashed
another dream expired
[Chorus]
You stole my childhood
left me with your mess
Put your weight on my back
called it “doing your best”
I was just a kid
you made me play parent instead
You stole my childhood
but you won’t steal what’s left in my head
[Verse 2]
Tiny hands on a stroller
bare feet on cold floor
Counting bruises like homework
adding one more
Teaching “use your inside voice”
with a split lip
Learning love from a threat
and a tight grip
I tucked them in while you blacked out on the couch
I took the hits
and they took my doubts
If I had a dollar for every time I shook
I’d buy back every piece of peace you took
[Chorus]
You stole my childhood
left me with your mess
Put your weight on my back
called it “doing your best”
I was just a kid
you made me play parent instead
You stole my childhood
but you won’t steal what’s left in my head
[Bridge]
I’m not your victim
I’m the one who walked away (walked away)
Carved my own last name
out of all that shame you made
I’m raising me now
like I deserved back then
If I ever have kids
it all ends, it all ends
[Chorus]
You stole my childhood
left me with your mess
Put your weight on my back
called it “doing your best”
I was just a kid
but I’m taking my story instead
You stole my childhood
but you won’t steal what’s left in my head (no more)