She Was a Boy
YAEL NAIM & David Donatien Lyrics


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she was a boy, it wasn't easy for her
i was a child to see it
she came alone to build her story
i was so young and loved her

go on you'll see
all that you want to be
while everybody's saying
hold on, you'll see
you’ll never be free
but we just kept on growing

she was a boy with some feelings for me
i was too wild and missed it
i came alone to hear her story
while no one else was worried

go on she said
or else you will grow sad
while everybody doubted
hold on, they say
one day you’ll have to pay 
but i was so afraid to go

hold on you're scared
you only need to dare
while everybody's laughing
go on, you'll see
one day you'll be free
and you will understand why

she was a boy, she was a boy, she was a boy
hiding in herself but
she was a boy, she was a boy
she knew that everyone was saying it

how much you want to see

how much you want to be
how much you want to live, see her growing
how much you want to see
how much you want to be
how much you want to live feel like falling
how much you want to see
how much you want to be
wishing everyday you could see her face again
how much you want to give
how much you want to live
she was a boy

she was a boy
but she was there for me




i was a child and
she was a boy

Overall Meaning

The song "She Was a Boy" by Yael Naim and David Donatien is a poignant and moving exploration of gender identity and the struggles faced by those who do not conform to binary gender norms. The song tells the story of a person who was assigned female at birth, yet identifies as male, and the challenges they faced in coming to terms with their identity.


The lyrics of the song are full of complex emotions and conflicting messages. In the first verse, the singer reflects on how difficult it was for the person they knew to grow up in a world where they didn't fit in: "she was a boy, it wasn't easy for her / i was a child to see it / she came alone to build her story / i was so young and loved her." The singer is grappling with their own memories of this person, who they loved but perhaps didn't fully understand.


As the song progresses, the singer encourages the listener to embrace their own identity and not be held back by the doubts and fears of others. The chorus includes the lines: "go on you'll see / all that you want to be / while everybody's saying / hold on, you'll see / you’ll never be free / but we just kept on growing." Despite the doubts of others, the singer believes in the power of growth and self-discovery.


The song ends with a repeated refrain of "she was a boy," a reminder that gender identity is complex and multifaceted, and that the person they knew was more than just the gender assigned to them at birth. Overall, "She Was a Boy" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that encourages empathy and understanding for those who don't fit into traditional gender roles.


Line by Line Meaning

she was a boy, it wasn't easy for her
She identified as a boy, but it was a difficult journey for her to fully express and embody that identity.


i was a child to see it
I was young and didn't fully understand or recognize her gender identity at the time.


she came alone to build her story
She bravely embarked on a journey of self-discovery and self-expression, even if she had to do it alone.


i was so young and loved her
Even as a child, I cared for her deeply and want to support her in any way I could.


go on you'll see all that you want to be while everybody's saying hold on, you'll see you’ll never be free but we just kept on growing
Despite the doubts and negativity from others, I encouraged her to continue on her journey of self-discovery and self-expression, and we continued to grow and evolve together.


she was a boy with some feelings for me i was too wild and missed it i came alone to hear her story while no one else was worried
She had romantic feelings towards me, but I was too preoccupied with my own wild and carefree behavior to fully understand or reciprocate those feelings. Nonetheless, I supported her and listened to her story during a time when others were not as understanding or supportive.


go on she said or else you will grow sad while everybody doubted hold on, they say one day you’ll have to pay but i was so afraid to go
Despite the doubts and warnings from others, she encouraged me to take risks and follow my own path in life, warning me that I would only grow unhappy if I didn't. Others warned me that there would be consequences for pursuing my desires, but I was fearful and hesitant to take action.


hold on you're scared you only need to dare while everybody's laughing go on, you'll see one day you'll be free and you will understand why
Others laughed or teased me for being scared or hesitant, but she reminded me that I only needed to take a chance and be courageous. Eventually, I would be free and understand why it was important to pursue my own desires and identity.


she was a boy, she was a boy, she was a boy hiding in herself but she was a boy, she was a boy she knew that everyone was saying it
Despite societal pressures and expectations, she was a boy and knew it, even if she had to keep that part of herself hidden from the world.


how much you want to see how much you want to be how much you want to live, see her growing how much you want to see how much you want to be how much you want to live feel like falling how much you want to see how much you want to be wishing everyday you could see her face again how much you want to give how much you want to live she was a boy
How much do you want to witness and be a part of her journey of self-discovery and growth? How much do you want to see her thrive and overcome societal expectations? How much do you want to give and live life to the fullest? She was a boy and that part of her identity was important and valid.


she was a boy but she was there for me i was a child and she was a boy
She may have been young and struggling with her own identity, but she was still there for me during a time when I needed her support, and that will always be meaningful to me.




Lyrics © LILI LOUISE MUSIQUE
Written by: DAVID DONATIEN, YAEL NAIM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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