Now I Stand

[Intro]
Soft light of innocence, a gentle dawn
Holding onto dreams in a peaceful song

[Verse 1]
Barefoot on the grass, young and free
Trusting every face I’d see
Laughing through the days, eyes shining bright
Living in the glow of my naive light

[Pre-Chorus]
But shadows grew, whispers in the dark
Fading innocence left its mark
A lesson learned, a heavy heart
From naïve start to a life apart

[Chorus]
Now I stand hardened, scars in my eyes
Trust is a currency, lost in lies
From carefree days to a guarded view
The boy I was has slipped from view
Held tight by pain, no more surprise
A fortress built from my own demise
From gentle boy to a angry man
Rising through the storm I can’t withstand

[Verse 2]
Betrayal’s cold blade carved deep inside
Faced with the truth I can’t hide
Loved and lost, friends turned foes
A hard-earned wisdom that nobody shows

[Pre-Chorus]
Echoes of laughter in silent screams
Reality shatters naïve dreams
Now I’ve learned the price to pay
For trusting in a world betrayed

[Chorus]
Now I stand hardened, scars in my eyes
Trust is a currency, lost in lies
From carefree days to a guarded view
The boy I was has slipped from view
Held tight by pain, no more surprise
A fortress built from my own demise
From gentle boy to angry man
Rising through the storm I can’t withstand

[Bridge]
Let the thunder roar, break the night
Burn away the false pretense, ignite
From the ashes, I will rise
A warrior forged by lies

[Outro]
Fast and furious, I won’t fall down
From a submissive man to a backbone found
The phased, angry man I’ve become
A story of what’s lost and won

[End]
Darkened sky, a blazing fire within
Trust betrayed, where do I begin?
From tender heart to a hardened shell
Living as a tale of my own hell

Rock ballad, soft beginning to aggressive end, guitars and drums with intense vocals, male