I learned young how to move
With my back to the wall
Read the room in a glance
Never trust it all
Kept my heart in my fists
Kept my name underground
If I looked like a threat
I could keep them around
So I built up the steel
Till it fit like skin
Now they call me cold
Like I chose this within
I can see where it hurt
Even now, even then
You were only surviving
You were only surviving
Stone on the outside
Fire underneath
Stone on the outside
Still I breathe
You’re not all armor
You’re not what they see
Stone on the outside
Love underneath
They mistake my silence
For a place I belong
Mistake my hard edge
For a soul gone wrong
But the truth is simple
I was trying to stay
And every scar I carry
Had to stand in the way
If I let you too close
Would you see the break?
Would you hold me as me
Or just watch me shake?
I’m already here
And I’m not turning back
I see the tender light
You keep tucked in the black
Stone on the outside
Fire underneath
Stone on the outside
Still I breathe
You’re not all armor
You’re not what they see
Stone on the outside
Love underneath
Maybe I forgot
How to let it show
Maybe I got good
At the things I don’t know
But kindness still lives
In the lines on your face
You can be strong
And still make room for grace
We were never meant
To turn into stone
We can guard the light
And still bring it home
Stone on the outside
Fire underneath
Stone on the outside
Still I breathe
Stone on the outside
You can stay with me
Stone on the outside
Love underneath
Love underneath
Still human in me
Strong enough to hold
What the world couldn’t keep
Stone on the outside
Love underneath
