Rise Like the Heather

[Verse 1]
They counted me quiet in the corner
They weighed me in whispers and sighs
They thought I would bow like the barley
Lie flat to their hail-heavy lies
[Pre-Chorus]
But there’s only so much a spine can bend
Only so many times you mend
[Chorus]
I will rise like the heather on the hard
Cold stone
Cut me down
I’ll come back grown
Every wound they gave me
I have worn like cloth
I have paid the price
And it’s worth the cost
(oh, it’s worth the cost)
[Verse 2]
They painted their rules on my doorway
They posted their “keep out” on me
But I’m done being small for their comfort
Done shrinking to keep their hearts easy
[Pre-Chorus]
There’s a fire that waits in every throat
One last “no” that becomes a vote
[Chorus]
I will rise like the heather on the hard
Cold stone
Cut me down
I’ll come back grown
Every bruise they bargained was a line I crossed
I have paid the price
And it’s worth the cost
(oh, it’s worth the cost)
[Bridge]
So remember this face when the tide turns round
When you hear my name in the marching sound
I was quiet once
Now I’m chorus-strong
You pushed too hard
Now you sing my song (hey!)
[Chorus]
I will rise like the heather on the hard
Cold stone
Cut me down
I’ll come back grown
Every chain they tightened only burned and glossed
I have paid the price
And it’s worth the cost
I have paid the price
And it’s worth the cost
[Outro]
I will rise like the heather
On the hard
Cold stone
(oh, it’s worth the cost)

folk, Modern Irish folk build with female vocals: fingerpicked guitar and low whistle in the verse, bodhrán drum easing in. Pre-chorus adds insistent violin drones; chorus blooms into a full-voice crescendo with stacked harmonies and unison fiddle/whistle line. Second chorus hits harder with stomps and handclaps, then a brief a cappella tag on the title line., harmony, female vocals, violin, irish folk