Dancing on the Ruins

[Intro – Wind through ruins, lonely violin] [Female – Soft haunting whisper] I thought I'd come back here to cry. To mourn the things that didn't last. But then I heard a violin... [Small mischievous laugh] And my feet remembered Something my heart had forgotten. How to dance. [Verse 1 – Soft female alto, rhythmic Celtic fiddle] There's a garden in the wreckage, Wildflowers through the stone. And the house that used to haunt me Doesn't feel so much like home. I came carrying old memories, Thought I'd lay them in the ground. But a melody came drifting, And my heartbeat found the sound. I wore grief like it was sacred, Like my laughter was a crime. Like enjoying one good moment Meant betraying all that time. Then I caught myself smiling, With the sunlight on my face. And for once I didn't punish All the joy I dared embrace. [Pre-Chorus – Rising electric violin] I can honor what I've lived through Without kneeling to the pain. I can let the thunder pass me And still go dancing in the rain! [Chorus – Soaring electric violin, Viking drums] I'M DANCING ON THE RUINS! BAREFOOT IN THE AFTERGLOW! Where the walls came crashing down, There's a thousand flowers growing! Let the wild violins carry me, Let the midnight drums ignite! I'm not dancing for the damage, I'm celebrating my own life! Oh, let the ravens circle higher, Let the stars come tumbling through! I'm not who I was before... And I don't have to be! I'm dancing on the ruins, And the rhythm belongs to me! [Verse 2 – Gritty indie guitar, playful percussion] Got my magenta hair like wildfire, Got my paint beneath my nails. A pocket full of unfinished dreams, And a thousand half-told tales. I've got a crooked little rhythm, Two left feet and reckless grace. A witchy grin beneath the moonlight, And no desire to know my place. I used to save my celebrations For a day when I was healed. When every scar had disappeared And every wound was sealed. But healing isn't a finish line, And happiness isn't a prize. So I'll dance here in the middle Of this beautifully messy life. [Pre-Chorus – Norse drums building] Let the world keep its opinions, Let the old ghosts disagree! I don't owe the past my future, And my joy belongs to me! [Chorus – Electric Celtic fiddle, dark dance beat] I'M DANCING ON THE RUINS! BAREFOOT IN THE AFTERGLOW! Where the walls came crashing down, There's a thousand flowers growing! Let the wild violins carry me, Let the midnight drums ignite! I'm not dancing for the damage, I'm celebrating my own life! Oh, let the ravens circle higher, Let the stars come tumbling through! I'm not who I was before... And I don't have to be! I'm dancing on the ruins, And the rhythm belongs to me! [Bridge – Beat disappears, intimate whisper] You know what's funny? I thought freedom would look different. Like some grand, beautiful moment When the whole world finally changed. But sometimes... It's laughing until I cry. Painting something ridiculous. Singing completely off-key. Dancing in my kitchen at midnight. [Soft singing] And sometimes I still fall apart. Sometimes the ghosts come wandering through. But they don't get every moment. They don't get every piece of me. [Whispered] I don't have to wait Until the hurting's over... To be happy. [Pause] Now... Somebody turn that damn violin up! [Instrumental Break – Feral soaring electric violin solo, fast Celtic fiddle, Viking war drums, gritty indie guitar, witchcore electronic bass drop] [Final Chorus – Wild cinematic Viking witch rave] I'M DANCING ON THE RUINS! LET THE WHOLE DAMN SKY COME ALIVE! I survived the darkest chapters, Now I get to live my life! Let the electric violins thunder! Let the Norse drums shake the ground! Let the girl who learned to whisper Make a glorious, joyful sound! I can cry and still be laughing, I can heal and still be wild! I can carry every scar And still dance beneath the stars! I won't give the past my music! I won't give it one more dream! I'm not dancing for the damage... I'M DANCING BECAUSE I'M FREE! [Outro – Playful violin, soft laughter] [Female – Breathless whisper] Well... That was completely undignified. [Small giggle] Good thing I was never Very good at dignified. [Soft singing] Let the wildflowers grow, Let the old ghosts go. There's a whole world left to see... [Final whisper] And a little bird Who's finally dancing... Just for me.