[Intro - ambient noise, soft hums, and a low heartbeat rhythm] Yeah… They say freedom’s a right. But who decides the price tag? [Verse 1 - reflective, calm but cutting] They taught us peace with our hands behind, Told us patience while they drew the line. They say “liberty,” but I never signed, They built a wall, then called it “mine.” Every promise got a clause inside, Every truth got a cost to hide. They sell us dreams like they sell the war, Change the flag, but the pain’s the same score. I seen voices turn to ghosts in the street, Hearts go cold just to make ends meet. They say silence keeps you safe and sound, But silence just keeps chains around. [Pre-Chorus - faint gospel hums in background] And I ain’t dyin’ just to stay asleep, Either way, I’m free. [Chorus - powerful, layered vocal chant with drums rising] GIVE ME LIBERTY, GIVE ME BREATH! I’M DONE LIVIN’ QUIET, I’M DONE WITH REGRET! IF YOU TAKE MY BODY, YOU WON’T OWN MY SOUL — EITHER WAY, I’M FREE BEFORE I GO! [Verse 2 - sharper delivery, quicker flow] They say patience is virtue, I say fear in disguise, They build ladders with our backs, sell the climb as a prize. Every rule’s a rumor dressed clean in a suit, Every truth they twist got blood on its root. I seen prayers turn to policies, tears to trends, They build a system that bends, but never mends. They say “trust the process,” I say “trust your breath,” ‘Cause if you ain’t livin’ free, you already taste death. [Bridge - spoken over minimal piano] Liberty ain’t comfort. It’s choosing to stand when they say “kneel.” It’s starving with truth instead of eatin’ with shame. It’s the fire — not the fame. [Pre-Chorus - soft gospel harmonies echo like a crowd rising] They say “calm down,” but my calm is war, If I don’t fight now, what was all this for? [Chorus - full band, huge emotion, layered vocals] GIVE ME LIBERTY, GIVE ME BREATH! I’M DONE LIVIN’ QUIET, I’M DONE WITH REGRET! IF YOU TAKE MY BODY, YOU WON’T OWN MY SOUL — EITHER WAY, I’M FREE BEFORE I GO! [Breakdown - whispered repetition, heartbeat percussion only] (Either way... either way I’m free...) (Either way... either way I’m free...) [Verse 3 - introspective, almost whispered, cinematic strings underneath] They told me freedom’s a gift, but I had to bleed to open it. Told me peace is earned, but they profit off brokenness. They taught me justice like a bedtime tale, But I grew up watchin’ the system fail. Still, I love the people — yeah, all of ‘em. Even the ones who never called me “one.” ‘Cause the real fight ain’t red or blue — It’s me, it’s you, it’s the truth we undo. [Final Chorus - emotional, full gospel choir harmony] GIVE ME LIBERTY, GIVE ME BREATH! I’M DONE LIVIN’ QUIET, I’M DONE WITH REGRET! IF YOU TAKE MY BODY, YOU WON’T OWN MY SOUL — EITHER WAY, I’M FREE BEFORE I GO! [Outro - stripped piano and faint humming] Yeah... You can cage a voice, but not a choice. Either way... I’m free.
