When they told me how to look
I always shifted my tie
And now I
Don’t try to save face

When they told me how to jump
I always asked, “How high?”
And now I
Fight for my name

It took a decade, maybe longer
To realize I was getting nowhere
What a maniacal scheme

So many years of broken promises
My time will come, just wait in line
A matrix of intentional deceit

PRE-CHORUS:
Everyone has an agenda to achieve
Best of intentions, hidden ambitions
There’s always a web to weave

CHORUS:
By and by, I’ll take the lead
Be the writer of my own story
All in all, I’d say I’ll be fine
Being a hero in my own journey
Don’t need a plan, don’t need a friend
I, I’m used to going without (by myself)
Born alone, die on my own
I, I got this all figured out (do I?)
The storm is breaking, ship might be shakin’
But I won’t let you bring me down
I’m the captain of my fate, oh, I know the way
Whoa, I’m moving up to higher ground

They always told me I was second best
Never the first choice, but
At least I
Learned to dance in the rain

They only let me get close enough to taste
Never take a bite, but
At least I
Nourished my timid brain

They only gave as good as they could get
Now I am fanning the flames
They have no apologies, no regrets
Won’t I, put them to shame
(PRE-CHORUS, CHORUS)

BRIDGE:
This world will never give
More than it will ever take
You’ll lose your mind, waste all your time
Tryin’ to make sense of the pain
It may take a minute, might be a lifetime
Before you see what you need to believe
You’ll never find fulfillment, be happy
Always working on someone else’s dream
(CHORUS)

OUTRO:
I’m the hero of my own story
Catch me on the rise, it’s my time
Try to stop me from finding glory
But it’s my turn to break the tide