Discover the story of the song > On Being a Bastard – Coalesce

The protagonist in these lyrics is saying goodbye to a friend who constantly criticizes their choices in what they eat and what they are called. Despite this criticism, the protagonist still believes they have potential. They ask their friend to show them courage and they will show them responsibility, because they have both lost the ability to please everyone and are now focused on pleasing themselves. The protagonist questions what it means to be a child and wonders if they are seen as a threat or only valued for their political beliefs. They continue to search for personal freedom and ask their friend to respect their choices. They conclude by saying they are tired of being labeled as a "bastard" and will continue to fight for their beliefs without letting others bring them down.