[Verse 1]
She learned to fold up small
In the back row seat
Names hit like hard rain
On her skin and sleeve
Lunch tray to the side
Eyes on the floor
She laughed at their joke
Then hated it more
[Pre-Chorus]
And every mirror said
She's not enough
So she wore those words
Like a coat too rough
[Chorus]
Little girl shadow
Stay a while
Little girl shadow
Hide that smile
They said she was broken
She said, "I know"
Little girl shadow
Don't let go
[Verse 2]
Now she's got quiet hands
And a tired stare
Apologize for breathing
Like nobody cares
She counts every flaw
Like beads in a chain
If love gets close enough
She pushes it away
[Pre-Chorus]
And every old voice lives
Inside her chest
Calling her ugly
Calling her less
[Chorus]
Little girl shadow
Stay a while
Little girl shadow
Hide that smile
They said she was broken
She said, "I know"
Little girl shadow
Don't let go
[Bridge]
But she was a kid
Not a target line
Not the dirt they threw
Not the punch they signed
And under the hurt
There's a pulse, still here
A soft little spark
Through all that fear
[Final Chorus]
Little girl shadow
Look at me
Little girl shadow
You can breathe
They said she was broken
They were wrong
Little girl shadow
You've been strong