What I Choose to Carry — Ember of Midgard — Nordic Folk Rock

Full English Lyrics [Verse 1] They carved their names in timber beams And taught me what a promise means Old hands drew borders in the clay And said, “This is the only way” I learned the songs, I learned the signs The weight of blood, the ancient lines But every path beneath my feet Does not have to repeat [Pre-Chorus] I can honor every scar Without becoming what they are I can hold the stories close And still decide which way I go [Chorus] I choose what I carry I choose what I leave I keep what gives me courage I lose what makes me kneel I know where I come from But I decide where I’ll be I choose what I carry And the rest can fall from me [Verse 2] There were words nobody questioned Doors that stayed forever closed Rules passed down like winter weather Simply because that’s how it goes But mountains change beneath the snow And even ancient rivers grow So why should every daughter wear A burden that was never hers? [Pre-Chorus] I will keep the hands that held me Keep the lessons that were kind But every chain called “tradition” Does not deserve another life [Chorus] I choose what I carry I choose what I leave I keep what gives me courage I lose what makes me kneel I know where I come from But I decide where I’ll be I choose what I carry And the rest can fall from me [Instrumental Folk Rock Break] [Driving nyckelharpa melody, deep tagelharpa pulse, pounding Nordic drums, melodic electric guitars and distant female choir] [Verse 3] Someday another voice may ask me What deserves to travel on What should live another lifetime What has held its place too long I’ll give her roots, but not a cage A name, but not a written page Let her stand where I once stood And choose the things she knows are good [Bridge] I am not betraying yesterday By making room for something new The strongest tree does not survive By keeping every branch it grew So let the old halls hear me now No anger in the words I say I carry forward what has worth And set the needless weight away [Build] [Female choir gradually enters] What I keep will make me stronger What I leave will set me free What I keep will travel onward What I leave ends here with me [Final Chorus] I choose what I carry I choose what I leave I keep what gives me courage I lose what makes me kneel I know where I come from But I decide where I’ll be I choose what I carry And the rest can fall from me [Large female Nordic choir] WE CHOOSE WHAT WE CARRY! WE CHOOSE WHAT WE LEAVE! Keep the strength! Leave the weight! Choose the road beneath your feet! [Final Chorus – Bigger] I choose what I carry I choose what I leave I keep what gives me courage I lose what makes me kneel I honor those before me Without surrendering me I choose what I carry And the rest can fall from me [Outro] [Nyckelharpa and melodic guitar continue over deep drums] I know where I come from... I know who came before... But the steps that follow mine... Are mine to choose. [Female choir fades] Choose what you carry...