[Intro — breathy female] At the edge of morning, I open my hands Dust on my sandals, warmth in the land A small oud phrase finds the air And every listening heart is there [Verse 1 — female lead A] Carry the water, carry the word Tell every village what we have heard The river remembers each face and name No road is too distant, no heart the same [Female lead B] I bring a ribbon of copper and blue A song from the hills, a promise made new If you lift your voice, I will answer clear We make a home wherever we gather here [Pre-Chorus — alternating female leads] Step by step, let the circle grow Palm to palm, let the kindness show [Chorus — English call and response, choir] Female: We rise together Choir: Together we rise Female: We sing for tomorrow Choir: Under one sky Female: Your hand in my hand Choir: Our hearts open wide All: We are the morning, walking side by side [Verse 2 — powerful male slam vocals] I speak for the child with a book held tight For the farmer who works till the last gold light For the grandmothers guarding the stories we keep For the young ones whose dreams are too bright to sleep Male response] No wall can divide what the people have grown No throne can possess what the living have known We bring what we have, and we share what we bring A thousand small flames, one reason to sing [French spoken poetry — intimate, then building] Écoutez le souffle avant la parole. La terre ne demande pas la victoire; elle demande des pas, des mains, des mémoires. Quand nos voix se rencontrent, le jour apprend un nouveau nom. [Instrumental Rise] [Oud hook, ney replies, hand claps and layered percussion] [Chorus — English call and response, alternating female leads] Female A: We rise together Choir: Together we rise Female B: We sing for tomorrow Choir: Under one sky Female A: Your hand in my hand Choir: Our hearts open wide All: We are the morning, walking side by side [Bridge — female leads and male response] Female: If the road bends, we will bend with it Male: Still we move Female: If the night lingers, we will carry dawn Male: Still we move Female: Every voice matters, every heart belongs All: Still we move, still we move on [Final Chorus — soaring communal choir] Female A: We rise together Female B: Together we rise Male: No fear before us Choir: Under one sky Female A: Your hand in my hand Female B: Our hearts open wide All: We are the morning, walking side by side All: We are the morning, walking side by side [Outro — choir and oud] Peace in the hands we extend Joy in the roads that we mend Morning is here, and the circle is wide We are the morning, side by side
