Say It Right

Verse 1

Don’t come knocking with your hands out

Like you forgot how this went

You talk smooth when you want something

But quiet when I needed sense

I paid attention to the silence

I learned faster than you think

You don’t get credit for showing up

After you watched me sink

Pre-Chorus

I don’t need diamonds

I don’t need proof

I just need you to listen

When I tell you the truth

Chorus

Say it right

If you say my name

Say it like you mean what it cost me to stay

I don’t need worship

I don’t need praise

I just need respect

Not someday

Say it right

Verse 2

I held doors you walked through easy

I carried more than you saw

I kept it together in public

While you kept score in the dark

You mistook my patience for weakness

That’s a common mistake

I don’t raise my voice to be heard

I let my leaving explain

Pre-Chorus

I don’t want flowers

I don’t want blame

I want the space I earned

When I stood in my name

Chorus

Say it right

If you say my name

Say it like you know what I gave and gave

I don’t need promises

I don’t need chains

I just need respect

In plain shape

Say it right

Bridge

I’m not asking

I’m not begging

I’m not waiting on the tone

If you can’t meet me steady

I’ll stand here on my own

Final Chorus

Say it right

Or don’t say it at all

I’m not built for halfway

I don’t answer to small

I don’t need loud

I don’t need to fight

I just need respect

Spoken right

Outro

I didn’t lose my voice

I learned when to use it