The One

Intro

I learned to stand before I learned to fall

Learned how to answer when nobody called

They said, "You're the oldest, you know what to do"

So I built a map while I was lost too

Verse 1

I was the hands holding everything together

The one who stayed calm through the worst kind of weather

Everyone looked up when the room went dark

Like I was born with a built-in spark

But nobody asked if the flame got tired

Nobody noticed when the smoke climbed higher

I kept every promise, I carried every name

And somehow I'm the one who's supposed to be okay

Pre-Chorus

I wear a smile like a uniform

A perfect fit that keeps me warm

But underneath all this gold and pride

There's a scared little voice I keep locked inside

Chorus

Because I'm the first one, I'm the strong one

The one who's supposed to never run

I'm the shoulder when everybody breaks

The one who bends but never shakes

And if I disappear into the crowd

If I stop being the one who's proud

Would anybody even see

The person underneath me?

Verse 2

I know their fears, I know their dreams

I know the cracks nobody else has seen

I memorize every silent cry

But nobody reads the look in my eyes

They tell me, "You're amazing, you're doing fine"

But they don't see the battle behind the line

I'm not a hero, I'm not a shield

I'm just someone trying not to yield

Bridge

Maybe I'm selfish for wanting a hand

Maybe I'm weak for not having a plan

Maybe the crown that they gave to me

Was never something I was meant to keep

Final Chorus

I'm the first one, I'm the strong one

But I'm still someone who can come undone

I'm not a statue, I'm not a stone

I'm not meant to carry this alone

But tomorrow they'll need me again

So I'll put on the armor and pretend

That the weight on my shoulders doesn't hurt

That being first doesn't always feel like the worst

Outro

I learned to stand before I learned to fall

Maybe someday I'll learn I don't need to stand at all