Phoenix from the Ashes

[Intro – 0:00–0:20] (Clean electric guitar riff, melancholic but determined. Drums enter softly.) [Verse 1 – 0:20–0:55] The teacup trembled in my hand, a test I'd always fail A constant voice to put me down, a never-ending tale They said I'd never make the length, they said I told a lie Locked me in a lonely room beneath a hollow sky I learnt to read the room, to see the micro in the glance A survival skill, from prison, a solitary dance [Pre-Chorus – 0:55–1:10] But a whisper in the darkness, a truth I couldn't kill A knowing that the person there was waiting, breathing, still… [Chorus – 1:10–1:45] I'M A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES, I'M THE FIRE IN THE RAIN BORN FROM ALL THE BROKEN PROMISES AND ALL THE PAIN THEY THREW THE BOOK OF RULES AT ME; I THREW IT BACK AND SAID THIS IS KARMA IN ACTION, TURNING LED TO GOLD INSTEAD! OH, MANDIE'S MY NAME, AND I'M STANDING HERE, UNBREAKABLE! [Verse 2 – 1:45–2:20] They tried to bury me in paper, in the silence and the law Institutional betrayal, just to keep me small and raw A litigant in person, with the walls and towers high But the genie's out the bottle, and the truth will never DIE They thought the weight would break me, thought the fight would make me fall But they only built the platform for my finest curtain call! [Pre-Chorus – 2:20–2:35] And that whisper turned to thunder, a conviction deep inside The strength to face the giant and to finally, finally heal… [Chorus – 2:35–3:10] I'M A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES, I'M THE FIRE IN THE RAIN BORN FROM ALL THE BROKEN PROMISES AND ALL THE PAIN THEY THREW THE BOOK OF RULES AT ME; I THREW IT BACK AND SAID THIS IS KARMA IN ACTION, TURNING LEAD TO GOLD INSTEAD! OH, MANDIE'S MY NAME, AND I'M STANDING HERE, UNBREAKABLE! [Bridge – 3:10–3:35] I've seen the night of the dark soul; I've felt the void so deep But to be awake is to be alive, a promise I will keep From people-pleaser's prison to a woman standing free This skin and bones is a warrior's heart, finally, finally me! And the wave will crash and flow again, the yin and yang will turn But the lesson in the fire is the peace for which I yearn! [Guitar Solo – 3:35–4:00] (Soaring, emotional, melodic — no lyrics) [Final Chorus – 4:00–4:30] I'M A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES! I'M THE FIRE IN THE RAIN! BORN FROM EVERY SINGLE HEARTACHE, EVERY SCAR, EVERY STAIN! YOU CAN THROW YOUR WHOLE DAMN SYSTEM; I'LL JUST BUILD A BETTER ONE! THIS IS KARMA IN ACTION, MY BATTLES JUST BEGUN! OH, MANDIE'S MY NAME, AND I'M STANDING HERE! UNBREAKABLE! UNAFRAID! I'M HERE! [Outro – 4:30–4:40] (Final guitar chord fades… echo of the last word)