Woman I Am

if i never felt the pain
of not knowing my father's name
if i didn't have to make the choice to run away

from the bruises left behind

i felt abandoned by your side and if i didn't question why
i let you make me cry

then i wouldn't be
and you'd never see
now i'm pain free
i could never
never, ever
i could never, ever be
the woman i am

i saw the man with a gun
standing there as she fell down
her baby in her arms
lying on the ground

i was forced to survive
as death came pouring from the skies
if i didn't stare it in the eyes
to say goodbye
then i wouldn't be
and you'd never see
now i'm pain free
i could never
never, ever
i could never, ever be
the woman i am
if i didn't eat dirt
and if i didn't bleed
if i never loved and felt what it feels like to be hurt...
then i wouldn't be
and you'd never see
now i'm pain free
i could never
never, ever
i could never, ever be

...the woman i am, the woman...
i would never be, the woman i am.