[verse 1 – solo, intimate] Woke to the weight of a quiet sky Same old doubt in a different light Every step felt one step too far Every spark fading just as it starts But there’s a voice behind the noise Steady and sure, calling me on Says I’m more than the fear I hold More than the story I’ve been told [pre-chorus – light doubles enter] If I bend, I won’t break If I fall, I won’t stay There’s a fire I can’t ignore And it’s calling me to wake [chorus 1 – lead + light harmony] Today I Rise And stand to face the storm outside There’s something in me that the world needs now And they might see it through my eyes And I won’t hide From the weight of what I could be If the light can’t find the way inside Then I’ll be the light they need Today I Rise [post-chorus tag – first stacking hook] (I rise… I rise…) (Through my eyes…) [verse 2 – fuller tone, subtle harmony shadows] Every scar is a map I’ve drawn Every loss is a lesson won I’ve been lost, but I’ve learned the shape Of a strength that no doubt can shake There’s a thread running through it all Every break, every rise, every fall Holding tight to the rod to guide me through To the part of me that’s true [pre-chorus – wider harmony] If I shake, I still stand If I drift, I still land There’s a truth I can’t unsee And it’s shared with outstretched hands [chorus 2 – expanded stacking] Today I Rise Prepared to face the storm outside There’s something in me that the world needs now If I let them see it through my eyes And I won’t hide From the weight of what I could be If the dark keeps looming sharp outside I’ll answer with light to see Today I Rise [bridge – breakdown → rebuild (layer entrances staggered)] (not waiting…) Not waiting for a sign (not waiting…) Not waiting for the perfect time Every second I’m alive Is another chance to rise (add low harmony) Even if my voice should shake (add mid harmony) Even if the ground may break (add high harmony) I will stand, I will try (full stack) I will live before I die [bridge extension – call and response stack, staggered entry and building harmony] [Lead:] I rise [Low:] I rise [High:] I rise [All:] I rise [Lead:] again [Low:] again [High:] again [All:] again [final chorus – full stack, declarative shift] Today I Rise Prepared to face the storm outside There’s something in me that the world needs now I'll let them see it through my eyes [upper harmony holds] (“A-Rise”) And I won’t hide From the weight of what I could be If the world won’t change so easily Then I'll start with this change in me Today I Rise [final tag – sustained choir pad] I rise… (ah—) I rise… (ah—) Through my eyes… (ah—) [outro – gentle release] Today I rise…
