[Verse 1]
You trace a circle on the table
Like you’re drawing out my fate
Say you “like your lines a little tangled”
Like I’m something you can break
You lean in slow
Eyes saying
“come on
Let it go”
[Pre-Chorus]
But I’ve been taught to name the shadows
Call a wound a wound
Not romance
You dress your hunger up as halo
Still
I see your hands
[Chorus]
So respectfully
No
You don’t get to write my ending
You don’t get to call this “meant to be”
Just ‘cause you’re wanting
Respectfully
No
You don’t get to blur my borders
You don’t get to turn my shaking into “yes
I’m yours”
I said it soft
I’ll say it slow
Respectfully
No
[Verse 2]
You laugh
“You’re reading way too deeply”
Like my body’s just a joke
Say I’m “killing all the magic”
By believing what you spoke
You bite your tongue
But that’s not where the damage’s done
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ve swallowed doubt like it was duty
Let you spin the scene your way
Now my quiet’s growing teeth
And it’s got something hard to say
[Chorus]
So respectfully
No
You don’t get to script my story
You don’t get to twist my trembling into glory
Respectfully
No
You don’t get to play the martyr
Just because I will not let you cross the water
I said it once
I’ll let it grow
Respectfully
No
[Bridge]
[Beat drops
Bass deepens
Stacked background vocals rise]
You say “relax”
You say “it’s nothing”
You say “come here”
You keep on cutting
Every little “just this once”
Is a weight I have to hold
If I’m the one inside this skin
Then I’m the one who gets control (oh)
[Chorus]
Respectfully
No
You don’t get to write my ending
You don’t get to call this “meant to be”
Just ‘cause you’re wanting
Respectfully
No
You don’t get to tilt the story
Change the frame and call it glory
I said it soft
I let it show
Respectfully
No
[Outro]
(background vocals: “no, no, no”)
I’m not your prize
I’m not your lesson
I’m not your late-night lonely blessing
I’m just a heart that learned to say it
Low
Respectfully
No