Freedom Ain’t Free

[Verse 1]
He say, “I can do what I want
Ain’t nobody gonna tell me a thing”
But his son’s in the doorway watching
While he’s walking out again
Got a ring on the table, dust on the Bible
Phone full of secrets, locked like a rival
Got a queen in the kitchen
Eating dinner with his shadow instead
[Chorus]
You say you’re free, but your freedom ain’t free
Somebody else pays the price you don’t see
You do what you want, then you wash your hands clean
But the stain’s on the ones who believed
You say you’re grown, you can follow your needs
But your wants cut deeper than you think
You do what you want, then you sleep like a king
While they’re staring at the ceiling and can’t even breathe
[Verse 2]
He say, “I can talk how I talk
If you hurt, that’s your problem, not mine”
But his mama’s in the back row crying
Every time his name’s in a lie
He got pride like armor, heart like ice
Laughing at the damage while he rolls the dice
Saying, “Life too short, I’ma live my life”
But he’s killing what he swore he’d protect at night
[Chorus]
You say you’re free, but your freedom ain’t free
Somebody else pays the price you don’t see
You do what you want, then you wash your hands clean
But the stain’s on the ones who believed
You say you’re grown, you can follow your needs
But your wants cut deeper than you think
You do what you want, then you sleep like a king
While they’re staring at the ceiling and can’t even breathe
[Bridge]
How you shouting “love” on a Sunday (yeah)
Then you breaking hearts on a Monday (uh)
How you singing grace in the sunlight
Then you disappear by the moonrise
You say, “God knows my heart” when you’re called out
Use His name like a shield when you fall out
But the cross wasn’t given as a hall pass
It was nailed there to break that past
[Chorus]
You say you’re free, but your freedom ain’t free
Somebody else pays the price you don’t see
You do what you want, then you wash your hands clean
But the stain’s on the ones who believed
You say you’re grown, you can follow your needs
But your wants cut deeper than you think
You do what you want, then you sleep like a king
While they’re staring at the ceiling and can’t even breathe
[Extended Outro]
[Soft breakdown, piano and organ]
(Yeah)
He say, “I’m just living my life”
But somebody’s losing their light
You say, “I’ma do what I want”
But somebody’s losing their trust
[Choir call-and-response]
Lead: Freedom
Choir: Ain’t free
Lead: Every choice
Choir: Got a seed
Lead: What you plant
Choir: Gonna grow
Lead: In the hearts
Choir: Of your own
Lead: Oh, freedom
Choir: Ain’t free
Lead: Every hurt
Choir: Got a plea
Lead: Can’t you hear
Choir: When they weep
Lead: Or you only hear your needs
[Final vamp]
You can do what you want, but it don’t make it right (yeah)
You can run where you want, but you can’t hide from the Light
You can break what you want, but one day you will see
That the ones that you’re breaking
Are the ones that you need
(Oh Lord)
Freedom ain’t free
(Oh Lord)
Open his eyes so he sees
You can do what you want, but it don’t make it love
Let Your mercy be the chain
Let Your mercy be the chain
That he finally feels enough
(Yeah, yeah)

rap, Slow-burning hybrid of gospel-tinged pop and reflective hip-hop. Male vocals over warm piano and airy pads, with sparse drums that bloom into a big, choir-backed hook. Verses stay intimate and confessional; chorus swells with stacked harmonies and call-and-response. Extended outro vamp rides on organ swells, ad-libs, and a rising choir until a soft, emotional fade., hip hop, slow, gospel, pop