The Holiday That Never Wasv6

[Intro] [Verse] I knew every scream and every lantern in the dark. My name rose above the square year after year. One gesture could wake the crowd. One night could make them cheer. But after every final bow, the stage stood empty— and so did I. [Pre-Chorus] Then a doorway appeared inside the trunk of a tree. On the other side, a strange white winter waited. I wasn’t looking for another holiday. I only wanted to feel something new. [Chorus] I wanted to steal the light from winter, bring it to my city of shadows. I wore another world’s hope, but it couldn’t keep me warm. I was king of my own night, but I didn’t know who I wanted to be. The holiday that never was couldn’t fill the emptiness in me. [Verse] I learned to smile beneath the branches, studied every gift and light. I thought I could take the outer shape and let the meaning follow. Sally whispered, “You don’t understand what you’ll bring into their homes.” But all I heard were ringing bells and my own name in the crowd. [Pre-Chorus] The sleigh climbed above the rooftops. Windows glowed below. I believed I was bringing them wonder. The night already knew the truth. [Chorus] I wanted to steal the light from winter, bring it to my city of shadows. I wore another world’s hope, but it couldn’t keep me warm. I was king of my own night, but I didn’t know who I wanted to be. The holiday that never was couldn’t fill the emptiness in me. [Bridge] I brought them a gift— THEY SAW A NIGHTMARE! I wanted to become someone else— AND LOST MYSELF! Among the wreckage, the bells fell silent. Snow settled on the darkened ground. I heard my city calling not for a king— just for me. Sally waited in the quiet. She didn’t say, “I told you so.” And in that silence, I finally saw everything I could lose. [Chorus] I won’t take the light from winter. I won’t become a stranger to live. Let my night remain my own. I’ll learn not to be afraid of it. I was king of my own night. Now I know who I want to be. The holiday was never my salvation— but I’m going home to my own. [Outro] My town is waiting.