I Can Do This on My Own

I don’t need anybody else
I don’t like everybody’s rules
I just want to do what pleases me
The things that fill the void
I’m the one in control
The one in charge
So don’t tell me what I can’t do
I don’t need your guidance
And I don’t need you

Some things have happened
And there’s things I’ve done
They hurt me so but I don’t care
I’m carving my own path
Doing it my own way
Just trying to forget the things
That got me here
So don’t tell me what I can’t do
Cuz this works for me
And I’m gonna see it through

You think you know better
But you don’t know me
You think you know the answers
But you can’t hear what I’m asking
The way that I feel seems right to me
How can you tell me it’s wrong?
The world is broken, everyone can see
So I have to make it right for me
I don’t need your help to fix it
I just need you to leave me be

And I’ve done it my way for just so long
I don’t dare turn it all around
My path may not be very straight
But at least it’s my own
For I’ve laid every stone
And planted every shrub
Though I’ve never brought the rain
I don’t need you to hold my hand
But you’re welcome to walk with me on the way

I don’t need to listen to you
But that doesn’t mean I can’t hear
I’m tired of walking these miles alone
Even though I’m surrounded by friends
My shoes track the mud
From all over I’ve been
Each step I take reminds me of what’s behind
How can I start anew?
How can I start again?

I don’t need to follow you
But that doesn’t mean I can’t see
There are things I need to change
But they’re all I ever knew
And I’m accepted, at least that’s what they say
But not loved, that’s clear every day
Life is hollow, so unsure
How can you claim to have the cure?

And if I take a chance with you
Can I know I’m not a fool?
Everyone says that you’re a lie
How can they not be right?
And so I stand here, daring to leap
Hoping not to be dashed to the ground
In a broken, helpless heap
Reach out to me, make your intentions clear
Speak to me, show me that you’re near

You come down to me and lift me up
And make promises only you can keep
You show me everything I’ve ever done
And then throw them in the deep
My past is history, my future bright
You don’t see the mud, I’ve been washed white
But I look up and see the road that lies ahead
It’s straight and narrow
No room for what I like to do
And then, I recall, life was good before —
When I went my own way
And followed my own cues

So I’ll go on ahead of you
For I think I know the way
Maybe we’ll talk from time to time
But when I need you most, be sure you’re there
Otherwise just watch and see
Because I think that I’ll be fine
I’ll run back if I have to
But don’t slow me down
And if you need anything from me
I’ll try to find the time

I’ve done this all before, you know
Though you’ve given me fresh new legs
I can run this race on my own
Nothing is different
Though everything’s changed
Thanks for the lift, but I’ll take it from here
I’ll see you at the finish line
Hope you’re waiting there to cheer…