As I Am

IF I’VE DISAPPOINTED YOU,
YOU’LL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.
NOT ALL LIFE CAN FALL IN LINE
ACCORDING TO YOUR PLAN.

I CAME TO YOU LIKE MANY DO,
HOPING TO BE CURED.
TO END WHAT GODS OF MEN CONDEMNED
EMMETT/NATHANIEL TO ENDURE.

I’VE OFTEN WONDERED WHAT IT’S LIKE
TO LIVE THE WAY YOU DO.
GAVE MY LIFE TO SLAVE AND STRIVE
TO WALK LIFE IN YOUR SHOES.

I’VE ALWAYS TRIED TO SATISFY
THE PICTURE YOU HAVE DRAWN.
BUT BY AND BY I REALIZED
I WASN’T BORN TO SING YOUR SONG.

SAY GOODBYE TO FOLLOWING YOUR RULES.
TIME THAT I STOPPED PLAYING YOUR DAMN FOOL.
NO MORE WASTED DA YS TRYIN’ TO OBEY,
WHILE LETTING LIFE SLIP BY.
I DEMAND A SECOND CHANCE.
TO LIVE AS I AM.

I’VE SEEN FIRSTHAND HOW YOU BRAND,
THE VIRTUES OF A MAN.
YOU HIDE BEHIND YOUR REFINED
RIGHTEOUS STERLING SHAM.

YOU BLINDLY LIE AND TREAT YOUR WIVES
LIKE PILFERED PROPERTY.
YOU WEIGH, INSPECT, DEGRADE, REJECT.
AND CALL IT MASCULINITY.

SAY GOODBYE
TO THE LIFE YOU WANT FOR ME.
IT’S MY TIME
I CAN’T BE AND NOT BE FREE.
ALL THE WASTED TIME,
THE UPHILL CLIMB.
THE HELL THAT I WITHSTOOD.
I’LL TAKE WHAT’S MINE.
IT’S NOT A CRIME
TO LIVE AS I AM.

I’VE COME TO REALIZE,
YOU’RE PRISONERS IN A SHOW.
AFRAID OF WHO YOU’LL FIND
BENEATH YOUR FITTED CLOTHES.

YOU CAN TAKE THE GLOVES,
TAKE THE HAIR,
TAKE THE DRESS,
I DON’T CARE.
EVERY FIBER OF MY SOUL,
DEFIES YOUR RIGID ROLES.

SAY GOODBYE,
I WILL BE AND I’LL BE ME.
WON’T DENY
MYSELF MY DESTINY.

BELLE DAME WAS WITH YOU ALL ALONG.
I FOUND MY VOICE,
I FOUND MY SONG.
NOW IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STAND
AND LIVE
AS I AM.