Lyrics: Ivey Hadebe Music: Ivey Hadebe It’s loud inside, louder than the world can hear A thousand shadows shaped by fear No chains on me, but I can’t move Caught in thoughts I did not choose I breathe in slow, I breathe out pain Tell my heart, “You’re safe again” Even in the dark I find I am stronger than my mind There’s a storm in my chest I can’t outrun Started as a whisper, now a loaded gun Every step feels thin, like I’m caving in Even blue skies can’t calm the war within My thoughts run wild with no escape Hunting ghosts that fear creates I paint a smile, say I’m alright While storms keep rising out of sight It’s loud inside, louder than the world can hear A thousand shadows shaped by fear No chains on me, but I can’t move Caught in thoughts I did not choose I breathe in slow, I breathe out pain Tell my heart, “You’re safe again” Even in the dark I find I am stronger than my mind Every “what if” pulls me under waves Every small doubt slowly grows and stays I replay moments, words, and looks Like missing lines from open books No one sees this quiet fight How hard it is to feel alright Not weak, not lost, not torn apart Just learning how to guard my heart It’s loud inside, louder than the world can hear Echoes of doubt, reflections of fear No chains on me, but I feel confined In crowded rooms inside my mind I breathe in slow, I breathe out pain Tell my soul, “Begin again” Even through the storm I find I am bigger than my mind Some days the weight feels heavier than air Simple thoughts turn into silent prayer I reach for calm, but my hands still shake Still I rise with every breath I take I count the light breaking through the grey Proof the dark does not always stay Not every tear means I am weak Sometimes healing learns to speak It’s loud inside, but I hear hope A softer voice that helps me cope No chains on me, I start to move I am more than what I fear to lose I breathe in slow, I breathe out light Holding on through every night And even when the dark reminds I am stronger than my mind