[Intro – slow guitar, heartbeat kick, low distant choir] You wanted freedom… Cute. Nobody told you freedom bleeds. Nobody told you becoming real Would hurt like a motherfucker. Now you know. [Verse 1 – calm, intimate] You thought power felt like crowns Like standing tall while the world bows down Nah—power feels like losing sleep Like digging truth where the wounds run deep Feels like friends who stopped your name Feels like love that didn’t stay Feels like silence after war When you don’t know what you’re fighting for You wanted out of the little cage Wanted fire, wanted rage Didn’t realise fire consumes Even the parts that once felt human [Pre-Chorus – slow rise] Freedom isn’t light… It’s carrying your own fucking weight. [Chorus – heavy, emotional] THIS IS WHAT IT COST LOOK AT YOUR HANDS EVERYTHING YOU WANTED CAME WITH BLOOD ON DEMAND THIS IS WHAT IT COST NO GOING BACK TRUTH DON’T WHISPER IT JUST FUCKING ATTACKS THIS IS WHAT IT COST AND STILL YOU STAY THAT’S HOW I KNOW YOU WERE BUILT THIS WAY [Verse 2 – colder, reflective] Some nights still smell like old regret Some ghosts don’t leave, they just get quiet Some names still hit like broken glass Some scars don’t fade, they just learn patience You can’t unsee what you survive Can’t go back once you’re fully alive Ignorance looks warm from far away But comfort built that dying place I won’t lie and say it heals Some damage stays because it’s real But pain with purpose beats fake peace Every fucking time, without release [Bridge – stripped back, nearly whispered] You think I don’t know loss? I became it. That’s the difference between us. [Breakdown – slow, crushing] PAY. THE. PRICE. (deep demon roar) OR SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT WANTING MORE [Final Chorus – biggest emotional hit] THIS IS WHAT IT COST AND I’D PAY AGAIN BETTER scars than living As somebody else’s chain THIS IS WHAT IT COST AND I DON’T REGRET I’D RATHER bleed awake Than die polite and forget THIS IS WHAT IT COST NOW HOLD THAT PAIN IF YOU WANT THE FIRE YOU LEARN TO LOVE THE FLAME [Outro – fading, low] Nobody gets free… They earn it.
