Verse 1
Tired of the mirror — this reflection questions me at night,
Tired of this skin that’s armored up but hollow on the inside.
Tired of the pressure, tightening like wire around my ribs,
I keep folding inward, learning to swallow every bit.
Tired of bruises hidden where the light won't ever find,
Callouses of silence growing where my tongue has never cried.
Tired of acting sturdy when my spine is made of sand,
Tired of pretending while I choke on what I am.
Pre‑Chorus
I keep swallowing the storm, I fix my jaw and stay still,
But the weight keeps settling in — it doesn’t break, it bends my will.
I keep telling jokes to hide the rust beneath the grin,
But laughter is a plaster on the fracture worn within.
Chorus
Please, just give me a hand, give me a hand,
I can’t stand all of this alone.
Give me a hand, give me a hand,
Help me find my way back home.
Reach past the pride that’s holding me, past the bark and bone,
Give me a hand, give me a hand — don’t leave me to go home alone.
Verse 2
Tired of sharp words, sharp looks that cut me into parts,
Tired of being told to be composed — to hide the cracks and guard.
Tired of the lockjaw when the truth sits on my tongue,
Tired of rehearsing strength and never letting any plea be sung.
Tired of silent dinners where the air is full of names,
Tired of carrying an anger that I’m taught to frame as blame.
Tired of fathers’ lessons folded into iron wills and plans,
Tired of being taught to bury fear and call it “being a man.”
Pre‑Chorus
I keep swallowing the storm, I fix my face in place,
But the weight keeps pulling down, it carves a hollow space.
I keep nodding while I’m breaking, playing soldier in the dark,
Hiding trembling fingers that refuse to strike a spark.
Chorus
Please, just give me a hand, give me a hand,
I can’t stand all of this alone.
Give me a hand, give me a hand,
Help me find my way back home.
Breach the walls I built of shame, let someone see my soul,
Give me a hand, give me a hand — I’m tired of fighting cold.
Bridge
If I say I'm breaking, don’t teach me how to harden more,
If I say I'm hurting, don’t label it a phase I’ll ignore.
I’m learning how to breathe through nights that steal my name,
Learning how to ask for mercy when my chest is full of blame.
I know the world expects a lighthouse with no storm to show,
But storms are part of water and even lighthouses can bow.
If you see me shaking, don’t walk past like it’s a chore,
Just stay a minute longer — stay to keep me warm once more.
Final Chorus
Please, just give me a hand, give me a hand,
I don’t want to fight this all alone.
Give me a hand, give me a hand,
Help me find my way back home.
Give me a hand, give me a hand,
Catch me when the bravest parts are gone.
Give me a hand, give me a hand,
I’m tired of being told to be strong.
I’m tired.
Of being told.
To be a man.
