Child Of The Breaking Tide

[Verse 1] Tiny feet on a frozen floor Cartoon on But the sound is war Plates fly past my cereal bowl I time each breath to her swallowed sob Doorframe bruises in the yellow light He slurs my name like it’s something to fight I learn the map of the creaking boards Where to vanish when he roars [Chorus] I’m the child of the breaking tide Clinging to a splinter Wild-eyed Every crash could drag us under But I count I breathe I wonder If the storm that made me small inside Might be the fire that keeps me alive I’m the child of the breaking tide [Verse 2] His keys in the lock — my blood runs thin I read the weather in the weight of his grin Her hands shake Hiding purple moons Saying “It’s okay ” like a dying tune I become silence I become stone Translator of every change in tone I stack my toys like little shields Guarding cracks in the battlefield [Chorus] I’m the child of the breaking tide Clinging to a splinter Wild-eyed Every crash could drag us under But I count I breathe I wonder If the storm that made me small inside Might be the fire that keeps me alive I’m the child of the breaking tide [Bridge] [low vocal register Drums drop out] In my head The hall becomes a hall of oak Antlers Banners Ancient smoke He’s just a drunk with a plastic crown But I name him monster Swear him down [orchestral swell Distorted guitars enter] Behind her eyes A hidden shore She’s a captain lashed to a burning oar I’m the stowaway under broken planks Whispering prayers to forgotten clans [folk fiddle enters Braided with electric lead] Old words hum in my ribs like steel Ghost-grandmothers at the turning wheel Saying “Little one Learn every scar Like a star chart home from a foreign war” [Chorus] I’m the child of the breaking tide Clinging to a splinter Wild-eyed Every crash could drag us under But I count I breathe I wonder If the storm that made me small inside Might be the fire that keeps me alive I’m the child of the breaking tide [Epic outro]