18, damned and defiant Against the lies of this world I couldn't keep quiet Off with my hair, I made my alliance Not a show of fashion, but an act of defiance I learned my lessons, and I learned them well For every lesson there is a story to tell While many claim to be true, only a few really are With a false pretense in life you won't go very far Pre-Chorus: After all these years gone by, I think to myself Was it all worth it? The hardships, the anger, the dissapointment in some Playing with life like it's a loaded gun Chorus: That was then this is now, that was then this is now That was then this is now, that was then this is now That was then this is now, that was then this is now That was then this is now, that was then this is now
Ideals don't change, they only get stronger If you can't figure right from wrong, you won't last longer While some are like fire, they still flicker in the wind When their flame burns out, their spark has given in I can see your fire, and I know it exists in you Be wise, be noble, and above all else be true Follow your own steps, be your own leader Because no one should be one for you (Repeat Pre-Chorus) (Repeat Chorus) Don't judge a book by its cover until you see what is inside Pages of pride, pa**ion and sorrow, Tales of a man with a message you'll find Judge not by what others say, judge only by what you see In a world governed by shackles and lies, There are those that are truly free