I Don't Want Your Permission

the day that I stopped dancing
was never cause I wanted to
the day that I stopped dancing

was only because you told me to

I gave you my freedom
thinking it would earn me love
but dancing on your eggshells

could never mean dancing in your love

in the shelter of the night

I began to know

the buzz of feeling

that my body is my own

and I don't think I want permission any more

when I began to dance

and swing my hips

I held my breath

and felt it on my lips

that I don't want your permission anymore

I don't need permission anymore

the day you told me to leave
I felt no fear

even if you lost compassion

I knew the world could care

I believed in your affection

but I came to learn
that real love is given freely

and real love cant be earned

a life lived by your permission
was never my life to live

and for some reason
when I saw them dancing
like fairies in the night

I couldn't help but join in

and when I did
I knew there was
no more bending over backward
no more performing for your love

no more asking for permission

in the shelter of the night