[Intro: Taylor Swift]

(Once, I had an empire)

(Once, I had an empire)

(Once, I had an empire)

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]

Once, I had an empire in a golden age

I was held up so high, I used to be great

They used to cheer when they saw my face

Now, I fear I have fallen from grace

[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams]

And I feel like my castle's crumbling down

And I watch all my bridges burn to the ground

And you don't want to know me, I will just let you down

You don't wanna know me now

[Verse 2: Hayley Williams, Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams]

Once, I was the great hope for a dynasty

Crowds would hang on my words and they trusted me

Their faith was strong, but I pushed it too far

I held that grudge 'til it tore me apart

[Pre-Chorus: Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams, Taylor Swift]

Power went to my head and I couldn't stop

Ones I loved tried to help, so I ran them off

And here I sit alone behind walls of regret

Falling down like promises that I never kept

[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams, Taylor Swift]

And I feel like my castle's crumbling down

And I watch all my bridges burn to the ground

And you don't want to know me, I will just let you down

You don't wanna know me now

[Bridge: Taylor Swift]

My foes and friends watch my reign end

I don't know how it could've ended this way

Smoke billows from my ships in the harbor

People look at me like I'm a monster

Now they're screamin' at the palace front gates

Used to chant my name

Now they're screaming that they hate me

Never wanted you to hate me

[Chorus: Taylor Swift, Taylor Swift & Hayley Williams]

My castle's crumbling down

And I watch all my bridges burn to the ground

And you don't want to know me, I will just let you down (Just let you down)

My castle's crumbling down

You don't wanna know me now, now

[Outro: Taylor Swift]

(Once, I had an empire)

(Once, I had an empire)

(Once, I had an empire)