[Verse 1 — Voice 1]
They know me by the way I move,
The name I chose, the things I wear.
They see me walking through the room
Like I was always meant for there.
I found a language without words,
A way to finally take my place.
Somewhere underneath the noise,
I learned to recognize my face.
[Voice 2]
But when the room is empty,
And no one calls your name,
When everything you put on
Is lying there again—
Who are you in the mirror
With nothing left to prove?
If all of this is taken off,
Is any of it still you?
[Pre-Chorus — alternating]
V1: I thought I needed something
To let that part of me begin.
V2: What if nothing made you Ruff?
V1: What if Ruff was always in?
[Chorus — Together]
Take the collar off,
Turn the lights down low,
Strip away the things
I thought I had to show.
Take away the name,
Take away what they can see.
If nothing’s left between us,
Would you still recognize me?
V1: I don’t know.
V2: I think you do.
[Verse 2 — Voice 2]
You say you found him somewhere
Between the leather and the lights,
In crowded rooms and open arms,
In disappearing into nights.
But maybe you weren’t finding him,
Maybe you were letting go
Of every expectation
That told you who you had to show.
[Voice 1]
Then why did wearing the collar
Feel more honest than before?
Why did I become more certain
Every time I wanted more?
[Pre-Chorus — alternating]
V2: Permission isn’t creation.
V1: Then what did I become?
V2: Nothing you weren’t already.
V1: Then maybe I was—
Both: Coming home.
[Chorus — Together]
Take the collar off,
Turn the lights down low,
Strip away the things
I thought I had to show.
Take away the name,
Take away what they can see.
If nothing’s left between us,
Would you still recognize me?
V1: I think I would.
V2: I always did.
[Bridge — Piano]
V1: If I take it off…
Who am I?
V2: You.
[Silence]
V1: And Ruff?
V2: You.
[Build]
V1: So there was never a line?
V2: Only the one you drew.
V1: Between the person I was—
V2: And the person you knew.
Both:
Maybe all I ever needed
Was permission to let go.
[Final Chorus — Full Harmony]
Take the collar off,
I don’t disappear.
Turn the lights out,
I’m still standing here.
Take away the name,
Take away what they can see.
There was never something hiding—
There was only me.
Take the collar off,
Lay it beside the bed.
I don’t need to wear it
To believe the things I’ve said.
I can put it on tomorrow,
I can wear it proudly too.
But the collar never made me—
V1: Ruff.
V2: Ruff.
Both: I do.
[Outro]
So take the collar off.
I’m not afraid to see—
Everything I found in Ruff
Was always part of me.
