Paper Illusions (The Red Flag)

(Mmm, yeah...)

(I see the signs now...)

(Watch them burn...)

(No more settling...)

(Listen close!)

Everything looks so good on paper, checking all the boxes in my mind

But I’ve been weighing out the pros and cons, leaving my peace behind

I’m putting in the hours at the clinic, studying late to earn my degree

While you just bring the doubts and insecurities right back to me

It's a disorganized life with a taste of bitterness on the tongue

When all I wanted was your touch, a song that should have been sung

My love comes from above, seeking something beautiful and pure

But you were just an illusion, walking straight out the door

Yeah, walking out the door...

My intuition is screaming no, something is completely off

You represent security, but the ground is getting soft

I crave that stability so bad, but I know I'm gonna get hurt

I'm done brushing off the warning signs and treating myself like dirt

[Vocal Stutter] (P-P-Paper illusions!)

Watch it burn!

You’re just a red flag waving in a paper-perfect disguise!

I’m done fighting my own gut feeling and listening to your lies!

It’s time to let go, I can’t keep doing this, questioning us every day!

I’m stepping into my own light, and I’m walking the other way!

Yeah, I'm zipping up my dress, taking my power back out your door!

No more carrying your baggage, I'm not hiding anymore!

(Walking away, yeah!)

(Let it go! Let it go! Exhale the empty smoke!)

(Ski-bi-di-bop, watching all your paper castles choke!)

(The illusion is cracking!)

Each time I try to speak to you, I'm manipulated and talked down

Feeling inadequate compared to you, wearing a heavy crown

There’s energy when we’re close, but distance tells the truth

I’m breaking out of this settlement, reclaiming my own youth

I've sat in many places alone, gotten glances, double looks

But He alone knows what lies before me, writing brand-new books

I thought I evicted the shadow long ago, wiped a clean slate

But I was standing on the threshold, opening up the wrong gate

Now I'm closing the door...

And reclaiming what I fought for!

My intuition is screaming no, something is completely off

You represent security, but the ground is getting soft

[Vocal Stutter] (P-P-Paper illusions!)

You’re just a red flag waving in a paper-perfect disguise!

I’m done fighting my own gut feeling and listening to your lies!

It’s time to let go, I can’t keep doing this, questioning us every day!

I’m stepping into my own light, and I’m walking the other way!

But then... I look at my kids, and I see the real gold

The sanctuary of my home that can never be sold

My roots are deep, my spirit is completely clean

I am the author of my own beautiful, sacred routine

My Father took my burdens on the Cross, setting me free

And little by little, I'm becoming the woman I'm meant to be

(Meant to be, hallelujah!)

(Let the papers burn! Let the wind blow!)

(I am standing on the rock, letting the whole world know!)

No more half smiles! No more living in a beautiful lie!

I am spreading my wings, and I am ready to fly!

(Three, two, one — let the bass bleed!)

(Dry vocal, completely raw, whispering close to the mic)

He isn't what he seems on paper.

It's time to let go.

No more illusions.

Just the real me.

(A single sharp, metallic click of scissors cutting paper stabs the silence)