Crown of Gold

**(Spoken Intro — low, conversational, a little husky):** They told me I had to break to be beautiful. They told me I had to bleed to be strong. They told me the crown only fit one way. But I learned the fit… is something you make for yourself. **(Verse 1 — Syncopated, confident flow over a building beat):** Shattered glass on the marble floor, yeah Heard the door slam, but I didn't hit the floor Counted the bruises, every little scar they made Heard my own voice whisper, "You can't be saved" But I saved myself, no, I didn't need a hand I picked up the pieces, made a different plan Now the silence ain't so loud, the night ain't so long 'Cause I'm the one singing my own victory song. **(Pre-Chorus — Melody rises, voice becomes more powerful):** Watch me shift, watch me change, watch me mold Out of the clay of the story they told I'm not the victim, I'm not the one they left I'm the queen reclaiming her own scepter, her own breath. **(Chorus — Explosive, full vocal power, layered harmonies):** I don't need a throne of silver or of gold My kingdom's in the story I'm about to unfold You thought you broke the vessel, but the water's still sweet I'm the one who's unbroken, I'm the one still on my feet Yeah, the crown is on my head— (a hard, sharp ad-lib: "Mmhmm") Go on and try to take it, you'll just find it's cold This is my reign, my pain, my peace—the Crown of Gold. **(Verse 2 — Softer, more intimate, almost sultry, with a sparse beat):** You had your empire built on borrowed time Made me think your sun was the only one to shine Now I'm the eclipse casting shadows on your page My light is too loud for your small, small stage I'm not asking for permission to be great My victory is the one thing you can't manipulate. **(Pre-Chorus — Builds again, more urgency):** Watch me shift, watch me rise, watch me grow Out of the ruins of the long ago I'm not the echo, I'm the original sound I'm the Queen of this city, I'm the one who wears the crown. **(Chorus — Even bigger, with a gospel-style choir backing):** I don't need a throne of silver or of gold My kingdom's in the story I'm about to unfold You thought you broke the vessel, but the water's still sweet I'm the one who's unbroken, I'm the one still on my feet Yeah, the crown is on my head— (ad-lib: "Yeah, yeah, yeah!") Go on and try to take it, you'll just find it's cold This is my reign, my pain, my peace—the Crown of Gold. **(Bridge — Music drops down to just a pulsing bass and a single piano note. Voice is raw, passionate, almost a cry):** They told me diamonds come from pressure, they told me strength is a demand But I found my own soft power, I found the truth in my own hand Not a kingdom built on fury, not a throne made of fear Just a woman in her glory, knowing the end is finally here *(Voice whispers, then builds)* I forgive you… for not being able to see… Now watch me… **(Outro — Music swells, then breaks into a triumphant, funky groove. Many vocal ad-libs):** This is my reign! (My reign!) This is my peace! (My peace!) I'm unbroken! (Yeah!) I'm complete! (I'm complete!) Crown of Gold… (Woooo!) Crown of Gold… (Say it loud!) Crown of Gold! **(Music fades out on a sustained synth chord and a single, proud laugh from the singer.)**