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Born in Crisis

by Emma G

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1.
She was the girl you wanted to know Her smile was the mask that covered her soul But she drew you in with every note She serenades love and hope Cos every hero has a story Without the pain you won’t have glory And though I know you wanna give up sometimes The fire burns behind her eyes She was the one you broke with your words Clenched fists through the wall before ripping her skirt And she’d close her eyes to block out the hurt Then smile through the tears, she’d been through worse Cos every hero has a story Without the pain you won’t have glory And though I know you wanna give up sometimes The fire burns behind her eyes Now she’s a wife, a mom and a friend Balancing grief while healing her past But she draws you in with every laugh While telling herself she can’t turn back. Cos even in dark, there’s always a ligh It’s not about storms, but what’s in your mind Cos she found her truth deep inside She’s back on her feet and ready to fight
2.
Failing Up 03:24
Drowning in information Riding the wave of success Taught to hustle hard and hustle smart The struggle to be the best But what is rich when you’re chasing happy? What is fulfilled when you can barely breathe? I’m fighting the failure and keeping up I’m breaking barriers with an empty cup I’m selling love like it’s my drug I’m failing up Building a new addiction Kicking down the walls Taught to suffer quiet and love the pain The trauma of having it all But what is rich when you’re chasing happy? What is fulfilled when you can barely breathe? I’m fighting the failure and keeping up I’m breaking barriers with an empty cup I’m selling love like it’s my drug I’m failing up I’m crushing the heartache with a nervous laugh I’m shutting out horror with a half made plan I’m selling love like it’s my drug I’m failing up
3.
Faith in You 03:16
I’d give you my reasons But I’ve built my walls Cos I’m in control when I break my own heart I chase every love song Convinced that it’s right Cos I’m in control when I force you to say goodbye But I’m breaking the habit of shutting you out If love is a decision I can’t do without I’m breaking up with a past That no longer serves me The trauma that’s in my bones Is now only learning I’m breaking up with the fear And leaning into your truth I’m learning to trust again If love is having faith in you I’ve always run away My mask is a smile When deep down I know that there Is power in every tear that I cry But if weapons can be turned on me My own knife in my back Then baby can’t you understand I’m learning to stand up and fight back But I’m breaking the habit of shutting you out If love is a decision I can’t do without I’m breaking up with a past That no longer serves me The trauma that’s in my bones Is now only learning I’m breaking up with the fear And leaning into your truth I’m learning to trust again If love is having faith in you And I know that it’s frustrating I know that it’s hard I’m unlearning the lessons That have broken my heart I’m breaking up with a past That no longer serves me The trauma that’s in my bones Is now only learning I’m breaking up with the fear And leaning into your truth I’m learning to trust again If love is having faith in you
4.
You thought you knew it all And everything was certain Sitting high up on your throne So comfortable; assertive But chaos has a habit Of testing who you are Submissive or a savage Timid or a star Chorus We rise up now Let the flames lick the wounds of the past Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground We rise up now Let the change be the truth that will last Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground I’m a rise from the ashes Leaning into faith Battle with your cynic Tyna find your way Tryna find your perfect But judgment has a habit Of breaking your own heart The strength of your conviction Makes you who you are Chorus We rise up now Let the flames lick the wounds of the past Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground We rise up now Let the change be the truth that will last Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground I’m a rise from the ashes How do you wanna lead? Cos change is a given Decision is the key Will you rise from the ashes? Chorus We rise up now Let the flames lick the wounds of the past Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground We rise up now Let the change be the truth that will last Burn it to the ground, burn it to the ground I’m a rise from the ashes
5.
If I’m to live up to my potential If I’m to be the best that I can If I’m to soar to the highest mountains I need to love who I am If I’m to break every mental barrier If I’m to prove all the limits wrong If I’m to breathe into my power I need to love who I am Kill the prior me Step into who I’m meant to be And if I’m too much for you [good] You can walk away I never want to have to prove to you Or convince you to stay I do this for me If I’m to be the change I wanna see If I’m to serve the whole world If I’m o live with compassion and strength I need to love me first If I’m to step up into my higher self If I’m to trust my inner gut If I’m to grow my spiritual health I need to love me first Kill the prior me Fall in love with who I’m meant to be And if I’m too much for you [good] You can walk away I never want to have to prove to you Or convince you to stay I do this for me I always do the best I can To live a life that’s free It’s not about making you uncomfortable But I do this for me And if I’m too much for you [good] You can walk away I never want to have to prove to you Or convince you to stay I do this for me
6.
Looking in the mirror It’s funny how I take lessons from the pain Tryna find the meaning In all the grey, I know I can’t fight against the rain And goodness knows I tried not to go against the grain I won’t ever ask permission Just get out of my way Cos every tear holds a key There’s grit in my scream I’ve been to hell and back No your hate won’t claim me Cos every scar is a badge From every trauma I’ve had I’ve been to Hell and back You can miss me with that I’ve had it with the judgments It’s funny how you put limits on my soul Turning bullshit into gardens You’re all the same I know, We all fear what we don’t know And goodness knows I tried not to go against the grain I won’t ever ask permission Just get out of my way Chorus And all you see is sick When I see survive Taken all the hits And I’m still alive I may not be the norm But you know I hit back I don’t need your damn permission Miss me with that Chorus
7.
They’ll try to break you They’ll put you into that box Labels that fit you But you weren’t born to be locked An unfair system They try to profit from pain But they don’t know you You make the rules of your own game 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Breathe it in; it’s time to shine Great expectations Of who you know you could be You’re done with patience You’re getting out of your way And if that time is now Baby stand your ground Step in to your power Your psyche hurts you With every lie you believe It’s not about you What they choose to perceive Unjust society Will paint an image that’s wrong Cos they don’t know you You are the writer of your own song 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Breathe it in; it’s time to shine Great expectations Of who you know you could be You’re done with patience You’re getting out of your way And if that time is now Baby stand your ground Step in to your power You are strong, you are wise You are bold, you are fire You are courage, you are peace You are braver than you think You are gorgeous, you are truth You are fierce, you are proof, You are perfect, you’re enough You are love Great expectations Of who you know you could be You’re done with patience You’re getting out of your way And if that time is now Baby stand your ground Step in to your power
8.
Tearing down the habits Forgetting who I was Confronted by the darkness I forgot to be afraid of Still I hold my head high Throw out a lullaby My shield against the storm Locked inside the cages This madness in my mind Chorus: TO BUILD A BETTER NEW IVE GOTTA TEAR DOWN MY WALLS THE ONLY WAY IS THROUGH AND IM A LEAD IT FROM MY HEART IF THE HEARTACHE STARTS WITH ME THIS TIME ILL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY IT'S ABOUT THE WOLF I FEED Poised for a battle Chaos or peace of mind Running round in circles Wreaks havoc everytime So I'll hold my head high Kill fear with a smile I'll rise against the storm Breaking down the cages I had buried deep inside Chorus: TO BUILD A BETTER NEW IVE GOTTA TEAR DOWN MY WALLS THE ONLY WAY IS THROUGH AND IM A LEAD IT FROM MY HEART IF THE HEARTACHE STARTS WITH ME THIS TIME ILL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY IT'S ABOUT THE WOLF I FEED Bridge: I havent broke down yet I'll make this wolf my friend I'm brave enough and ready To forgive myself I'll leave my fears behind Taking back my life My piece of mind TO BUILD A BETTER NEW IVE GOTTA TEAR DOWN MY WALLS THE ONLY WAY IS THROUGH AND IM A LEAD IT FROM MY HEART IF THE HEARTACHE STARTS WITH ME THIS TIME ILL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY IT'S ABOUT THE WOLF I FEED
9.
Triggered 03:26
I hold up the past like a badge of honor Lean into the pain, the nightmares and horror And though I tell myself that I’m a survivor It’s hard to remember when I won the war Still caught up in the shots I barely missed I block and counter Misinterpret every so called hit So I duck and cover But you never aimed at all My minds playing tricks again You only caught me when I’d fall Hoping that this wasn’t the end And I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand I’m learning to wipe the blackboard clean Erasing the lies that have only hurt me And though I’ve based myself on mistaken identity It’s hard to remember who I was before Still caught up in the shots I barely missed I block and counter Misinterpret every so called hit So I duck and cover But you never aimed at all My minds playing tricks again You only caught me when I’d fall Hoping that this wasn’t the end And I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand And I’m letting my guard down Learning to be open Hoping that you won’t knock me out And leave me broken But you never aimed at all My minds playing tricks again You only caught me when I’d fall Hoping that this wasn’t the end And I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand I tell myself to give love a chance I can’t keep accusing you when the trigger’s in my hand
10.
Shine On 03:13
Another sleepless night Wading through your dreams Holding it inside So no one hears your screams Too hard to know what’s real Deciphering the clues Trying not to feel So no one sees you Hold on The sun will rise again Hold on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure The toughest times will Help you shine on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure Cos you don’t know how Bright you shine on Waking every day With no end in sight Tryna make a change Starting from inside But the struggle is too real You’re tripping over grief Trying not to feel Cos it’s hard to believe Hold on The sun will rise again Hold on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure The toughest times will Help you shine on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure Cos you don’t know how Bright you shine on Hold on Even the moon depends on the sun So shine Cos you are the one Hold on Your light will shine again Hold on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure The toughest times will Help you shine on Cos the real you Can only grow from the pressure Cos you don’t know how Bright you shine on
11.
No Apologies 03:31
Breathing in Count to 10 Who am I today? Building hope Or kicking stones Holding space to pray Cos when it comes to my reflection It starts with introspection Do you know what’s in your soul? Cos it’s not about the highlight reel Just showing up You’re enough Leaning in to how you feel Just showing up You’re enough No apologies for who you are No apologies for your scars Start each day Choosing grace Falling in to trust Breaking habits What’s the logic? Holding space for love When it comes to choosing me first It’s hard to ignore the doubters Do you know what’s in your soul? Cos it’s not about the highlight reel Just showing up You’re enough Leaning in to how you feel Just showing up You’re enough No apologies for who you are No apologies for your scars
12.
It’s all a game No one knows who makes the rules Who can say? You only hope to see it through. But if love is the answer Then baby I hope the question comes soon We’re chasing fairytales And hunting hope for a happy tune Cos if our greatest fear is losing ourselves To a world that does not deserve our worth Then our greatest power is all in the way that we love And be loved And baby it’s you I didn’t know how good loving could be Baby it’s you I could know but you made me believe I trust in you because you trust in me I’m letting go Of every lie that I’ve been sold I’m leaning in To every yes, and embracing no Cos if love is the answer Why have I always put myself last? To give my everything I need to hold on to who I am Cos my greatest fear is losing myself To a world that does not respect my worth But my greatest power is all in the way that I love And am loved And baby it’s you I didn’t know how good loving could be Baby it’s you I could know but you made me believe I trust in you because you trust in me Cos if our great trial is gambling our hopes and our hearts Then our greatest power is all in the way that we love, and be loved And baby it’s you I didn’t know how good loving could be Baby it’s you I could know but you made me believe I trust in you because you trust in me
13.
If I Could 03:27

about

After finishing her write-a-song-a-day challenge in February, 2021, Emma G is turning the challenge into a short film and stripped back album, documenting:

- the importance of, and relationship between our physical, spiritual, mental, emotional and creative health

- the power of music when it comes to turning our struggles into superpowers

- the importance of building strong foundations for resilience and creative expression: especially in today's global pandemic.

"Born in Crisis": the film gives special reference to Emma G's own medical trauma, having had 10 brain surgeries, and talks a great deal about her write a song a day challenge, the topics she wrote about [brain surgery and scars, finding her identity, anti-racism, self love and all that good stuff], the partnering album, and how important it is to teach these skills of resilience to teenagers.

Born in Crisis: Turning Struggle into Song features eight tracks:

~ Behind Her Eyes ~
A song of resilience when it comes to domestic abuse and sexual assault from a partner

~ Failing Up ~
A song inspired by the saying "I don't fail; I learn" - recognizing that every failure paves the way to success

~ Faith In You ~
Challenging Emma G's personal growth around learning about, and leaning into love.

~ From the Ashes ~
A song inspired by her Capitol Groove Collective sister: fellow musician Stephanie Mathias; who celebrates the ability to use the fuel of fire to propel her forward, and rise from the ashes. "It's okay to fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure when you get back up, you rise as the whole damn fire"

~ If I'm Too Much ~
Recognizing that that which makes others uncomfortable is none of your business. If you're too much for anyone; good. They can take responsibility for themselves, and walk away

~ Miss Me With That ~
Inspired by Trevor Noah, and drawing strength from her experiences as "the freak", Miss Me With That alludes to judgments around racism, her own brain surgeries and medical trauma, abuse, and her determination to succeed.

~ Step Into Your Power ~
Inspired by Emma G's intention for 2021 - where she is choosing to step into her power, despite a global pandemic, societal limitations, or naysayers. "In order to be the best version of myself, I need to kill the person I once was".

~ The Wolf I Feed ~
Written at the very beginning of the pandemic, The Wolf I Feed is a bonus track inspired by the old Native American fable. "The battle is between two ‘wolves’ that live inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
“Which wolf wins?”
“The one you feed”.

credits

released March 30, 2021

Written by: E. Amiri-Ghaemmaghamy
Piano by: Emma G
Guitar by: Emma G
Bass by: Joey J Drums
Recorded by: Flightboy Music
Filmed by: Gene Sizemore
www.BornInCrisisTheFilm.com

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Emma G Washington, D.C.

* SAVING THE WORLD ONE SONG AT A TIME *

Turning Struggles, Traumas, Fears, and Overwhelm into Empowering Songs that Change the World

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