As I Am Words and music by Edric McKinney © 19 Aug 2023Am Dm G Ever since you were a child, you had a knight's heroic dream Am F G With your blade you would slay monsters, serve your people and your queen Am Dm G Though some didn't trust a hero never born to Gloreth's line F G Am Those who loved you knew your hero's heart would shine Am Dm G When ideals of belonging were by hateful souls betrayed Am F G Cast out the would be hero, and of you a villain made Am Dm G I had only heard the stories told about your deadly deeds F G Am And I sought a fellow villain just like me Dm C G When they told my story for me, everyone forgot my name Em F G Turned a child into a monster they could slay or try to tame Dm C G But I am the living story, and I'll live as loud I can F G Am So that all can see Nimona as I am Am Dm G In the woods a thousand years ago an ancient being played Am F G And I sought a friend to know me and not scream and run away Am Dm G Bent my shape to fit the mold, I hid my powers far from view F G Am But it pained myself so much to hide the truth. Am Dm G When betrayed by one I loved, who I thought loved me in return Am F G I resolved to never bind myself for those who'd see me burn Am Dm G I would not abide their rules, I would embrace the villany F G Am And I'd live a life forever true to me Dm C G When they told my story for me, everyone forgot my name Em F G Turned a child into a monster they could slay or try to tame Dm C G But I am the living story, and I'll live as loud I can F G Am So that all can see Nimona as I am Am Dm G As I've come to know the man behind the stories, I can see Am F G That like me you could never fit a simple binary Am Dm G Both our histories were warped to fit agendas filled with fear F G Am Prejudices keeping friends from drawing near Am Dm G You were slow to see and love me, I was also in return Am F G But I'd like to have you with me and we'll help each other learn Am Dm G To be seen as our full selves, neither villain nor a girl F G Am And together we will stand against the world Dm C G When they told my story for me, everyone forgot my name Em F G Turned a child into a monster they could slay or try to tame Dm C G But I am the living story, and I'll live as loud I can F G Am So that all can see Nimona as I am F G Am So that all can see Nimona as I am