Bruises Fade, Pain Stays

"Five Years Old"

Verse 1

Daddy's fists were the first thing I knew,

Before I learned to read, before I learned the truth,

He took what he wanted — I was five years old,

A baby in a nightmare, a story never told.

Mama watched it happen, never said a word,

Her silence was the loudest thing I ever heard.

Chorus

And it hurts, God, it hurts, and it never went away,

The bruises faded but the pain decided to stay,

Mama hated me and Daddy broke me down,

I was just a kid — I never made a sound.

Verse 2

Mama's words cut deeper than his hands,

"You ain't nothing, girl, you'll never be enough,"

She held my sister close, she held her tight,

While I cried alone in the dark of night.

She called me worthless, she wished me gone,

Daddy did his worst, and Mama just moved on.

Chorus

And it hurts, God, it hurts, and it never went away,

The bruises faded but the pain decided to stay,

Mama hated me and Daddy broke me down,

I was just a kid — I never made a sound.

Bridge

I fought back once — I swear I tried,

But I was the one they crucified,

The victim became the criminal,

In that house, love was minimal.

Final chorus

And it hurts, God, it hurts, and it never went away,

The bruises faded but the pain decided to stay,

Mama hated me and Daddy tore me down —

I was five years old, and nobody heard a sound.