[Verse 1]
They dragged me through the port gates
Rope-burn wrists, salt in my hair
Crown men laughed in clean boots
Locked me where the rats all stare
Iron bars and a hard bench
Mold on stone, lamp in the dark
I carved my name in the wall there
With a nail and a bitten bark
[Pre-Chorus]
They said, "You’ll swing by dawn"
I smiled like a knife
Count your prayers on the plank
I was born for this life
[Chorus]
But I break free
I break free
Noose at dawn, I break free (I break free)
Gun smoke rose
Steel rang loud
Muskets called my name out loud (out loud)
[Verse 2]
Then the outer wall shook hard
Boots hit the dock, ships burned red
Crew came screaming from the fog bank
Black flags snapping overhead
Muskets roaring in the alley
Sabers flashing through the brine
One good cut and the lock snapped
One wild cheer and I was mine
[Pre-Chorus]
They said, "You’ll swing by dawn"
I spat in the straw
You don’t hang a storm
You just learn its law
[Chorus]
But I break free
I break free
Noose at dawn, I break free (I break free)
Gun smoke rose
Steel rang loud
Muskets called my name out loud (out loud)
[Bridge]
I saw the Crown man stumble
Heard the keys hit stone
Saw my crew in the doorway
And I knew I was home
No crown, no chain, no pardon
Just the sea and my blade
If dawn comes looking for me
It can come unafraid
[Final Chorus]
I break free
I break free
Noose at dawn, I break free (I break free)
Gun smoke rose
Steel rang loud
Muskets called my name out loud (out loud)
I break free
I break free
Salt and fire in my teeth
Noose at dawn
Won’t find me
I was never theirs to keep (never theirs to keep)