[Pre-intro, Spoken]
My name is Jared Reed & the following is a true story.
[Intro]
Silent shadows, holding secrets deep inside
Whispers of a choice I was made to hide
[Verse 1]
Barely a teen, caught in a storm of love and fear
Mom’s shadow, a man I couldn't clear
He approached me one cold morning day
Gave me an ultimatum, I couldn’t sway.
[Pre-Chorus]
Stay with us, or walk away
He said, if you go, then I’ll stay.
But if I stay, he’ll walk away
Leaving us to face life’s cruel sway.
Becoming homeless, with no safe place to—stay……
[Chorus]
I chose love, I chose the pain.
I chose to walk away (away)
To keep my family safe from the rain.
Ghosted silently, without a word
Sacrifices unseen, never heard
[Verse 2]
Brothers, mom, unaware of the war inside
My heart torn, with nowhere left to hide.
A secret kept, a burden heavy, created from
My own mistakes.
A promise made behind closed gates
[Pre-Chorus]
Stay with us, or walk away
He said, if you go, I’ll stay
But if I stay, he’ll walk away
Leaving us to face the homeless life,
If I refused to willingly fade—away…
(Fade away)
[Chorus]
I chose love, I chose pain.
I chose to, walk away (away)
To keep my family safe from the rain.
Ghosted silently, without a word
Sacrifices unseen, never heard
[Bridge]
Maybe someday, they'll understand
The silent sacrifices of a broken man
Truth in my heart, forever sealed
A love so deep, never revealed
[Outro]
I remember, I will always remember
The love, the pain, my silent surrender
Though they never ask, I carry it still
A secret love, an unspoken will