The Life I Never Led

I've never talked back
I've never slept late
I've never sat down
When told to stand straight

I've never let go
And gone with the flow
And don't even know, really, why
I've never asked questions
Or taken a dare

I've never worn clothes
That might make people stare
I've never rebelled
Or stood up and yelled
Or even just held my head high

And all of the feelings unspoken
All of the truths unsaid
They're all I have left
Of the life I never led

I've never gone surfing
Or ran with a crowd
Or danced on a table
Or laughed much too loud
I've never quite dared
To leave myself bared

I've just been too scared I might fall
I've never seen Paris
Swum naked
Been kissed
I've never quite realised
Just how much I've missed
And what did I get
For hedging each bet?

Another regret, and that's all
And all of the wishes unasked for
All of needs unfed
They're all that remain
Of the life I never led
And now
Now that you've given me one
Little taste of it

And now
Now that I know what I know
Well how
How can I go on ignoring the waste of it?

After all of the years
That I've clung to my fears
Won't you help me let go?
Help me let go!

I want to be brave
I want to be strong
I want to believe
I'm where I belong
To stand up and say
I'm seizing the day"
To not just obey, but to choose

And I may not surf
I may not see France
But I want to know
I still have the chance
And maybe I'll make
A painful mistake

It's mine though, to take or refuse
And all of the doors yet to open
All of the rooms ahead
They're beaconing bright
Scary and new

But I'm standing tall
And I'm walking through
What's gone may be gone
But I won't go on
Playing dead!
It's time to start living
The life I never led