Song Title: “Free Again” Spoken Intro (over soft keys, brushed drums, bass hum) (spoken, warm, conversational) Ladies… I need you to hear me right here. This is for the women who loved the wrong man longer than they loved themselves. For the ones who mistook silence for peace, Bruises for patience, And broken promises for potential. This is for the women who thought abuse was love, Who stayed because hope felt holier than leaving. And to the ones who—until today—that feel strong enough to walk into their destiny. I want you to know something… You are free. Free to love. Free to choose. And free… To be loved. (Band swells, groove drops) Verse 1 I gave my heart away in pieces Called it loyalty, called it faith Ignored the cracks in every promise ‘Cause I was scared of walkin’ away I made excuses for the silence Put my needs on the shelf I kept pourin’ into empty cups Never savin’ none for myself Pre-Chorus But pain don’t get to live here no more I finally listened to my soul Chorus I’m free again Free to love myself without apology Free again Free from chains that never honored me I spent years forgettin’ who I was Tryin’ to be what love demanded Now I’m healed, I’m whole, I understand it I’m free again Verse 2 I thought survival meant stayin’ quiet Thought strength was sufferin’ in grace But love don’t bruise you into silence Or leave you questionin’ your place I found my worth in all the wreckage In every tear I tried to hide Turns out the woman I was searchin’ for Was standin’ right here the whole time Pre-Chorus I forgave me for not knowin’ then And that’s where my freedom began Chorus I’m free again Free to love myself without apology Free again Free from chains that never honored me I spent years forgettin’ who I was Tryin’ to be what love demanded Now I’m healed, I’m whole, I understand it I’m free again Bridge (Spoken / Sung – Jill Scott pocket) (spoken-sung, band drops to bass & snaps) If loving you costs me my peace That ain’t love If staying means I gotta disappear That ain’t love And if I gotta bleed to be believed Baby… that ain’t love (sung) I choose me I choose joy I choose a heart that ain’t destroyed Final Chorus / Vamp (Live Band Build) I’m free again Say it with me—free again Free to choose what feels like home Free to know I’m not alone I’m free again Free to love the woman in my skin I’m healed, I’m rising, I’m stronger than I been Yeah… I’m free again (Vamp / Ad-libs) — “No more broken promises…” — “No more beggin’ for love…” — “I choose me…” — “I’m free…” (Band rides groove, harmonies stack, fade on vamp)
