Half the Sky, Different Worlds

[Verse 1]
In one town she walks with her hair uncovered
Laughs too loud
No one turns their head
In one town her voice is a crime at dinner
Every word she swallows instead
Little boy’s called “leader” for climbing fences
Little girl’s called “careful
You’ll tear your dress”
Same sky hanging over two small houses
But one grows wings
One learns to confess
[Chorus]
Half the sky
Different worlds
Same heartbeat
Different rules
Born a boy
They call it promise
Born a girl
They call it proof
Half the sky
Same bright light
But the stories change the view
If you only see her shadow
You don’t know what she could do
[Verse 2]
In one city they clap when she signs her contract
Glass tower shining in the sun
In one village they cheer when she brings home water
Broken sandals
Blistered run
He gets asked
“What dream are you chasing?”
She gets asked
“When will you wed?”
On the news they talk like she’s numbers
Not a neighbor
Just a headline
Never fully read
[Chorus]
Half the sky
Different worlds
Same heartbeat
Different rules
Born a boy
They call it power
Born a girl
They call it proof
Half the sky
Same bright light
But the stories paint her bruised
If you only see her burden
You don’t know what she could do
[Bridge]
What if every daughter
Was greeted like a miracle? (oh)
What if every border
Stopped telling her she’s physical?
She’s a name
Not a lesson
She’s a vow
Not an accident
If you changed the way you speak her
You would change the world she’s in
[Chorus]
Half the sky
Different worlds
Same heartbeat
Same truth
Born a boy
Born a girl
Both are more than what they’re used to
Half the sky
Rising now
Let the stories bend and move
When you finally see her clearly
You’ll see what we all can do

Cinematic alt-pop with female vocals; intimate piano and airy pads in the verses, then drums and warm bass bloom in the chorus. Subtle world percussion and distant vocal chants suggest global cultures. Energy builds from soft storytelling to an anthemic final chorus with stacked harmonies and a lifted key in the last refrain., world