The Coward

"Hero," they call me. I am gutless and afraid!

They say, "endure." I am far from strong.
I can't breathe! The air is thick, so thick in my lungs!
Thick with the fear that grips my soul.
Thick with the courage I long to hold.
They say, "endure". I am far from strong!

Please move on, I'm not worth your time;
if only I could care, oh, if only I could try!
My arms are weak. I was born into wealth.
I have only loved and cared for myself!

Forget what I've said,
all that I've done
Who I have been is not who I've become.
I've never been brave!

"Hero" they call me, I am gutless and afraid!
I swear, oh please! I have never been brave.
Raised in the flowers, I ran from the weeds.
I swear, oh please! I'm not the man to lead!

I swear!

They say, "endure." I am far from strong.
I can't breathe!
The air is thick, so thick in my lungs!
Thick with the fear that grips my soul.
Thick with the courage I long to hold.
They say, "endure". I am far from strong!

I've heard them whisper, "he's a coward and weak."
Oh how I tremble, what am I to believe?

My hands are soft, my shield hurts to hold.
I can't let go! I have never been alone.
My feet are heavy like the bag on my back.
"I swear," she said, "You need to come back!"

But, by the time I settle on "I love you."
I'll already have caught, the scent of someone new.

"Hero" they call me, I'm standing still.
Too scared to leave, I'm too scared to go home.
I'm not a hero, I'm not yet a man!
My back is burdened and I am alone.