I Stand Up

Intro

ah-ah, oh-oh, ooh (let's go)

ke-ke-keep, ke-ke-keep (yeah)

Verse

They called me names in the hallway, pointed like I didn't belong

Screens lit up my failures, turned every little thing to a song

I learned to shrink my shoulders, learn to hide my smile

Carried other people's laughter like stones for miles and miles

No handed chances, doors shut, whispered rumors in the class

Told me I was nothing, told me I would never last

But there was a spark under the ash, a small stubborn flame

I kept it in my pocket, kept it safe, kept my name

Pre-chorus

I felt the weight, I felt the pull (felt it)

Tasted fear, it tasted dull (tasted)

But something in me clenched its teeth and said, "One more try"

One more step, one more fight, one more beat inside my chest

Chorus

I stand up, I stand up, I'm done hiding now (oh-oh)

I stand up, I stand up, watch me show you how (yeah)

I made my nights into daylight, turned my maybe into now

I stand up, I stand up, I'm the best for me—wow

I stand up, I stand up, I stand up, I stand up (ooh)

Verse

They threw paper airplanes that read their careless lines

Tried to map my future with the boxes they'd designed

I learned the rules by reading tears, learned the code of staying small

But every insult built a ladder, every shove a higher wall

Late nights with empty rooms, headphones and stubborn beats

Practiced like the world was watching, practiced on repeat

Found a rhythm in the damage, found a voice in the bruise

Took the hurt and made a compass, pointed forward, paid my dues

Pre-chorus

I felt the doubt, I felt the mask (felt it)

I tasted ash, I tasted past (tasted)

But something in me unclenched its fists and said, "No more"

One more breath, one more claim, one more step across the floor

Chorus

I stand up, I stand up, I'm done hiding now (oh-oh)

I stand up, I stand up, watch me show you how (yeah)

I made my nights into daylight, turned my maybe into now

I stand up, I stand up, I'm the best for me—wow

I stand up, I stand up, I stand up, I stand up (ooh)

Bridge

Hey—(hey), hey—(hey), feel this—(feel it)

Heartbeat like a drum, like a drum, like a drum (boom-boom)

Hands up, breath out, let the air rewrite the scars

String together the small wins, string them into stars (na-na)

No more giving them the power, no more giving in

I'm the author of the chorus and the next line I'll begin

Chorus

I stand up, I stand up, I'm done hiding now (oh-oh)

I stand up, I stand up, watch me show you how (yeah)

I made my nights into daylight, turned my maybe into now

I stand up, I stand up, I'm the best for me—wow

I stand up, I stand up, I stand up, I stand up (ooh)

Chorus

I stand up, I stand up, I'm done hiding now (oh-oh)

I stand up, I stand up, watch me show you how (yeah)

I made my nights into daylight, turned my maybe into now

I stand up, I stand up, I'm the best for me—wow

I stand up, I stand up, I stand up,