[Verse 1]
They crossed an endless water
Chasing more than land and gold
Names inked on a tattered ledger
Hearts louder than the church bells told
Smoke behind them
Burning scripture
Shuttered doors and tightened jaws
So they built a hope from splinters
On a promise bigger than their flaws
[Chorus]
We were born to be a shelter
Not a sword raised in the sky
Open hands across an ocean
For the tired and terrified
Every language
Every story
All the wounded
All the strange
This is why these stars were lifted
To be a refuge for the brave (oh-oh)
To be a refuge for the brave
[Verse 2]
Courtrooms where the truth could tremble
Still be spoken out and heard
Fields where no one owns your worship
Homes where children speak their word
Broken chains on harbor pilings
Prayer rugs on apartment floors
Every accent at the table
Turning strangers into something more
[Chorus]
We were born to be a shelter
Not a sword raised in the sky
Open hands across an ocean
For the tired and terrified
Every language
Every story
All the wounded
All the strange
This is why these stars were lifted
To be a refuge for the brave (oh-oh)
To be a refuge for the brave
[Bridge]
If we forget the fleeing footsteps
The midnight knocks
The hidden names
Then the light inside that harbor
Fades to just another flame
So let the hunted find a harbor
Let the voiceless find a say (yeah)
Let our greatness be the giving
Let our power be the way
[Chorus]
We were born to be a shelter
Not a sword raised in the sky
Open hands across an ocean
For the tired and terrified
Every language
Every story
All the wounded
All the strange
This is why these stars were lifted
To be a refuge for the brave (oh-oh)
To be a refuge for the brave (so brave)
To be a refuge for the brave