"THE BEAR AND THE BROKEN CROWN"

[VERSE 1 — MALE] Down by the river where the cold winds roam, A bear found a crown made of silver and bone. It shimmered in the water like a fallen star, A relic from a kingdom that had wandered too far. [VERSE 1 — FEMALE] He lifted it gently with his weathered paws, Not knowing the weight of its ancient laws. The forest watched in silence as the crown took hold, A story waking slowly from the days of old. [CHORUS — BOTH] Ohhh, the bear never asked for a crown, But the forest placed it on him when the old world fell down. Ohhh, he carried the burden alone, Till the creatures gathered ‘round him saying, “You are our home.” [VERSE 2 — FEMALE] The foxes whispered tales of a tyrant king, Who ruled with shadows and a serpent’s sting. The crown had cracked the night he lost his throne, And the forest vowed never to stand alone. [VERSE 2 — MALE] But the bear was gentle, with a steady heart, A leader made of kindness, not the cruel king’s art. He wore the broken crown like a fading light, A symbol of a world that could choose what’s right. [CHORUS — BOTH] Ohhh, the bear never asked for a crown, But the forest placed it on him when the old world fell down. Ohhh, he carried the burden alone, Till the creatures gathered ‘round him saying, “You are our home.” [BRIDGE — CHANT (CALL + RESPONSE → UNISON)] [FEMALE — call] Rise up, rise up, the forest sings, No more bowing to broken kings. [MALE — response] Stand tall, stand tall, the night is long, But the gentle heart is always strong. [TOGETHER — chant] Ohhh, the crown may break, But the world will heal. Ohhh, the bear will lead With a kindness real. [UNISON — soft] Rise up, rise up, the forest sings, No more bowing to broken kings. [FINAL CHORUS — BOTH] Ohhh, the bear never asked for a crown, But the forest placed it on him when the old world fell down. Ohhh, he carried the burden alone, Till the creatures gathered ‘round him saying, “You are our home.” [OUTRO — BOTH — whispered] The crown was broken… But the forest healed.