[Intro]
[Verse 1]
Built a castle from cardboard and glue,
Towers of dreams that I thought were true.
Crayon skies on the walls I drew,
A kingdom for me, and a throne for two.
But rain came down, and the edges tore,
Left me a king with nothing to rule anymore.
[Instrumental Break 1]
[Chorus]
Cardboard castles, they rise and fall,
Hold up the stars, then they lose it all.
Every dream’s a spark, every hope’s a flame,
Burning bright till the world’s not the same.
Oh, I’m building again, though the storms may call,
Chasing a heart that won’t fear the fall.
[Verse 2]
Taped up the corners, patched up the seams,
Chased every whisper of childish dreams.
Pirate ships sailed on a bedroom rug,
Felt like forever in a best friend’s hug.
Now the boxes are flat, but the magic’s still,
Hiding in cracks of my stubborn will.
[Instrumental Break 2]
[Bridge]
[Melodic, earnest, with a hopeful ache.]
I miss the days when the world felt wide,
When a blanket fort was a place to hide.
We’d fight off dragons with sticks for swords,
Made up stories no one else could afford.
Though the cardboard’s gone, I’ll build once more,
With scraps of courage and an open door.
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus - Variation]
Cardboard castles, they bend and break,
Hold up my heart for as long as they take.
Every wish is a light, every scar’s a song,
Keeping me steady when the nights grow long.
Oh, I’m dreaming again, though the rains may pour,
Building a world worth fighting for.
[Outro]
[Whispered, tender.]
Castles may crumble, but I’ll never fold,
My heart’s still young, and its stories are bold.