Once Upon A Red Flag
An Alt-Rock Anthem about Fairytales.
by manyface music
Once Upon A Red Flag was written a few weeks after my wife of 18 years left me.
I was hurt. I didn’t understand how she could walk away from the life we had built together. When I said “till death do us part,” I meant it. So why didn’t she?
Later I would learn that everything was for the best, and that she already had someone else lined up. But at the time I was just hurting. I felt lied to, like I had been sold a fairytale ending that never really existed.
So I decided to flip “Once Upon A Time” on it’s head.
Instead of a fairytale about happily ever after, I started writing an anthem about surviving the moment when the illusion breaks. I challenged myself to see how many fairytale references I could weave into the lyrics while telling a story about heartbreak, anger, and trying to keep moving forward.
Once Upon A Red Flag became my way of reminding myself that even when a story ends badly, it doesn’t mean the story of your life is over. Sometimes you just weren’t meant to end your story in that fairytale.
"You said the woods were safe to roam. You were so sweet...left my breadcrumbs at home."
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Once Upon A Red Flag Lyrics - Manyface Music
[Refrain 1]
Ooooo - oooo - ooo
Ooooo - oooo - ooo
[Verse 1]
You lit the match with a charming grin,
Set my curtains ablaze - isn’t that always how it begins.
“Honey, don’t be dramatic - you’re part of the show.”
Strings on my limbs - nowhere to go.
Cut ties!
My heart is not a toy - I’m a real boy.
[Refrain 1]
Ooooo - oooo - ooo
[Chorus]
Huff and Puff -
My. Guard. Down. Now.
Cut and bleed -
These. Fragile. Vows.
Blood-stained banner, flying so proud.
We’re Once Upon A Red Flag.
Once Upon A Red Flag Now.
[Refrain 2]
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhhhhhh
[Verse 2]
Fed me apples and cyanide.
Left me lookin’ too white - like snow on a bride.
I’m not a prick, though you point the finger.
I just wanna wake - not sit here and linger.
Still trapped.
In your perfect little tailored nightmare.
[Chorus]
Huff and Puff -
My. Guard. Down. Now.
Cut and bleed -
These. Fragile. Vows.
Blood-stained banner, flying so proud.
We’re Once Upon A Red Flag.
Once Upon A Red Flag Now.
[Refrain 2]
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhhhhhh
[Verse 3]
You said the woods were safe to roam.
You were so sweet - left my breadcrumbs at home.
Glowing golden locks - in a tower of dread.
Brush my hair tonight - or cut me up instead.
Bleeding out.
Now, in your fucked up little fairytale.
[Refrain 2]
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhhhhhh
[Chorus]
Huff and Puff -
My. Guard. Down. Now.
Cut and bleed -
These. Fragile. Vows.
Blood-stained banner, flying so proud.
[Outro]
Wishing on a genie - things could be better.
But we’re Once Upon A Red Flag.
Once Upon A Red Flag Now.
[Refrain 2]
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhh - ohhhh - ohhh
Ohhhhhhh
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
[Refrain 1]
Ooooo