[Intro]
[stomps and claps start, distant crowd chant]
We were raised in the ruins
Taught to smile through the bruise
Learned to carry, learned to mend
Now we’re here to lead, not beg
[Verse 1]
You said “strong” meant never crying
We stitched each other while you were lying
Turned every slight into a plan
Made gentle look like weakness, then we changed the meaning back
We feed the kids, we read the room
We budget pennies, stretch the food
We hear the quiet, catch the clues
We hold the whole house up while you call it “women’s work”
[Chorus]
Raise your hands for the daughters of the aftermath (hey!)
We’ve been holding up the world, now we’re taking back the map
Soft hands
Steady spine
We turn the broken into life
If you want a world that finally learns
Let the matriarchy burn
(let it burn, let it burn)
[Verse 2]
We track the storms before they’re forming
Know every cycle, every warning
We don’t confuse loud with wise
We build a table, make it wide, add chairs for every voice outside
We measure power by who’s protected
Who gets listened to, respected
We plan for seven generations
Not just one more quarter’s gain, not one more pointless war
[Chorus]
Raise your hands for the daughters of the aftermath (hey!)
We’ve been holding up the world, now we’re taking back the map
Clear eyes
Open door
We lift a million, not just one
If you want a world that finally learns
Let the matriarchy burn
(let it burn, let it burn)
[Bridge]
We choose care over conquest
Healing over harm
Justice over “just us”
Arms around, not crossed arms
We write laws like lullabies
Safe streets, safe beds, safe skies
No more “boys will just be boys”
We teach our sons a different pride
[breakdown – drums and crowd chant]
Who do you trust with the future?
(We do, we do)
Who do you trust with the fire?
(We do, we do)
Who’s gonna raise up a better world?
We do, we do
We do, we do
[Chorus]
Raise your hands for the daughters of the aftermath (hey!)
We’ve been holding up the world, now we’re taking back the map
Calm mind
Fierce heart
We turn the ending to a start
If you want a world that finally learns
Let the matriarchy burn
[Outro]
Stomp for the mothers who were never heard
Clap for the girls who are changing the words
Sing for the ones who will come after we’re gone
The matriarchy’s here
And we’re marching on (hey!)