Later Came Right on Time

I was standing on the playground, ten to nine,
Left of the middle, just trying to be fine.
Not too loud, never out of line,
Just another face killing time.

I had thoughts too big for my age,
A heart already off the page.
They didn’t say much, but I understood
Being different never sounds good.

I made jokes just to feel okay,
Just to keep the quiet away.
Not to shine, not to steal the light,
Just to make it through the night.

Home was easy, home was warm,
But outside you learn the norm.
Not every voice gets a turn,
Not every fire’s allowed to burn.

They said “later, you’ll be fine, just wait,”
Like dreams arrive by fate.
Like time will show you how,
While you’re already everything now.

[CHORUS]
They said later, later, give it time,
But I was already crossing lines.
I felt it all, I knew it fast,
Built my future from my past.
I wasn’t lost, I wasn’t wrong,
I was strong before I was strong.
Later didn’t save my life,
Later came right on time.

I learned to talk before I’d doubt,
Turned my fear inside out.
What once felt heavy, deep and loud
Is the reason I stand proud.

I saw the cracks before they broke,
Read the truth behind the jokes.
What pushed me out, what slowed my pace,
Is what put me in this place.

[BRIDGE]
If you’re standing where I stood before,
Feeling like you’re too much or not enough anymore,
Don’t slow your heart, don’t dim your flame,
The world just hasn’t learned your name.

[FINAL CHORUS]
They said later, later, you’ll see,
But later was already me.
I felt too much, I moved too fast,
Made my peace with every past.
I wasn’t late, I wasn’t blind,
I was just ahead of time.
Later didn’t wait in line,
Later came right on time.

[HOOK / OUTRO – repeat & fade]
Right on time, right on time,
Even when it didn’t feel like mine.
Every doubt, every sign,
Was pointing me to this life.

Right on time, right on time,
You don’t have to chase the light.
If you’re still breathing, still alive,
You’re already right on time.

Right on time…
You always were.

Emotive Pop-Rock, Modern Pop-Emo, mature sound, male