Break This Chain

[Verse 1]
(Male)
Mama slammed doors, daddy slammed fists
Holes in the wall where the pictures should sit
I packed my bags with the dust and the shame
Swore to myself I’d outrun that name
(Female)
I had a front-row seat to the same kind of storm
Shouting in the kitchen till the plates weren’t warm
I learned how to leave before they’d even say “stay”
Heart like a suitcase, always half-packed away
[Chorus]
(Both)
We ain’t our fathers, we ain’t our past
We ain’t those shadows on the broken glass
Take my hand, baby, say my name
We’re gonna love so loud it breaks this chain
Yeah, our kids will never have to be that brave
We’re gonna love so loud it breaks this chain
[Verse 2]
(Male)
You flinch when I reach for your coffee cup
(Female)
You stare at the floor when the voices go up
(Male)
But I’m not leaving, I’m not that man
(Female)
And I won’t run, I’m gonna stand where I stand
(Both)
We’ll hang our coats on a steady nail
Teach little hearts that “sorry” ain’t a fairy tale
Sunday pancakes, cartoons too loud
First day of school, yeah, we’ll both be proud
[Chorus]
(Both)
We ain’t our fathers, we ain’t our past
We ain’t those shadows on the broken glass
Take my hand, baby, say my name
We’re gonna love so loud it breaks this chain
Yeah, our kids will never have to be that brave
We’re gonna love so loud it breaks this chain
[Bridge]
(Female)
If I start to doubt, if I pull away (woah)
(Male)
I’ll be right here, I’ll beg you to stay
(Female)
If you hear old echoes in the back of your mind
(Both)
We’ll turn ’em down together, one day at a time
[Chorus]
(Both)
We ain’t our fathers, we ain’t our past
We ain’t those shadows on the broken glass
Take my hand, baby, say my name
We’re gonna love so loud it breaks this chain
On this front porch, in this simple frame
Our family’s gonna grow, and change our name
Yeah, our kids will only know the gentle rain
’Cause we’ll love so loud it breaks this chain

country, Warm alt-country ballad with male/female vocals trading lines. Intimate fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft brush kit, and gentle pedal steel swells. Verses stay close and conversational; choruses bloom with stacked harmonies and a supportive bass bed. Subtle piano and organ rise in the bridge for an emotional lift, then settle back for a tender, hopeful outro., soft