[Single drum] [Footstep] I spent too long Letting other hands Decide what stayed Inside my land Gave too much water To dying things Called every burden Something love brings I knew how to nurture Knew how to mend Didn't always know Where I should end But every garden Learns somehow What gets the sunlight And what Gets cut out [Guzheng hook] [Pre-Chorus] I don't need permission I don't need a crown I know what I'm protecting I know What I'm building now [Chorus] I am the Empress I choose the gate I choose what enters I choose what waits I feed what grows I guard what's true And love don't mean I bleed for you I am the Empress Hear me now Soft hands Strong ground I don't rule Because I can I protect What I love And I decide Where I stand [Hand drums] I can be warm And still say no I can love something And let it go I can leave a door open Without leaving it wide I can trust my heart And still trust my eyes I've carried children Carried dreams Carried more Than anybody sees Learned how a woman Can lose her name Keeping everybody else Out of the rain [Erhu answer] But I'm not disappearing Not this time I can give you love Without giving you What's mine [Chorus] I am the Empress I choose the gate I choose what enters I choose what waits I feed what grows I guard what's true And love don't mean I bleed for you I am the Empress Hear me now Soft hands Strong ground I don't rule Because I can I protect What I love And I decide Where I stand [Pipa / drum break] I used to think protection Meant taking every blow Standing in the doorway So nobody else would know Now I know protection Can sound like Enough Can look like closing curtains Can feel like Choosing love Not every seed Belongs in my soil Not every hand Gets near what I toil Not every voice Gets into my head Some things get watered Some things Stay dead [Music drops] [Heartbeat drum] [Bridge] I will protect The girl I was The woman here The ones I love I'll protect the laughter Protect the room Protect the right To change my view I'll protect my softness From becoming shame Protect my freedom Without running away Protect my heart Without making it stone Protect what is ours Protect what is mine Protect the part of me That finally knows— [Silence] A throne isn't given You sit When you're ready [Massive drums] [Final Chorus] I am the Empress I choose the gate I choose what enters I choose what stays I feed what grows I guard what's true And if I give my love It's because I choose I am the Empress No borrowed crown No one gets To hand me down I don't rule To stand above I stand between The world And what I love [Female voices] Protect the fire Protect the home Protect the child Protect your own [Lead] And when the night comes Through the trees It meets Me [Female voices] The Empress [Lead] Standing At the gate [Final guzheng motif] [End]
