He hides
In the skin of a lion
He must be brave
For those who can't be
He must fight
For those who aren't willing
He mustn't break
Because he is the strongest
He mustn't break
Because he is humanities hope
He mustn't break
Because everyone's lives
Are on his shoulders
So he hides
In the skin of a lion
It's different though
When we're alone
He'll smile
He'll laugh
He'll cry
But only when we're alone
I was the only one
Who could see through the skin
I could see beneath it
To what he really was
And what he was
Was a lamb
He was scared
Just like everyone else
He would get excited
Just like everyone else
He would cry out of sadness
Just like everyone else
But only when we're alone
On expeditions
Outside of these wretched walls
He would hide
In the skin of a lion
Even while death surrounded us
He would remain stoic
Even while the cries of comrades
Pierced our ears
Even while he held me
As I took my final breaths
Even as I shut my eyes
For the last time
He didn't cry
Because he couldn't
He didn't yell
Because he couldn't
He didn't beg
Because he couldn't
And I understand
That if he did
Cry, yell, or beg
People would think
He has become weak
And people would lose hope
It's not a choice
He has to hide
In the skin of a lion
