[Intro]
No crown upon my weary brow
No throne beneath my hand
Only a song, only a vow
Only a wounded land

[Verse]
The hall was wide with shattered glass
The banners torn and pale
The portraits watched with painted eyes
Like ghosts behind a veil
I walked where kings had walked before
Yet heard no glory call
Only the echo of the poor
Who never reached that hall

[Pre-Chorus]
A crown can shine like morning gold
And still become a chain
The blood of kings is thin and cold
Beside the people’s pain

[Chorus]
I am the crownless heir
No jewel, no golden chair
I carry all the names
Of those who suffered there
I am the crownless heir
No tyrant’s blood to spare
If I must rise, I rise for all
As one voice in their prayer

[Verse]
They brought the circlet from a chest
Wrapped deep in funeral cloth
The same old gold my father wore
Before the night of wrath
It trembled when I touched its rim
As if it knew my fear
For every king who loved his crown
Had left the people here

[Pre-Chorus]
I did not cross the burning plain
To dress myself in light
I came to end the old refrain
That might alone is right

[Chorus]
I am the crownless heir
No jewel, no golden chair
I carry all the names
Of those who suffered there
I am the crownless heir
No tyrant’s blood to spare
If I must rise, I rise for all
As one voice in their prayer

[Interlude]
No crown above the song
No throne above the land
No king above the hungry
No rule without their hand

[Solo]
A mournful lead guitar opens wide
Strings like tears the stones have cried
Then drums arise with steady flame
The crownless heart accepts the name

[Bridge]
Let law be sung in open squares
Let bread be shared before the feast
Let every valley send its voice
From greatest hall to least
If throne there must be, let it stand
Not over, but beside
A place where those who lost the most
May no more have to hide

[Breakdown]
No crown
No chain
No throne
For pain

[Build-up]
Raise the people
Raise the field
Raise the wounded
Raise the shield
Raise the voices
Raise the air
I will stand
A crownless heir

[Chorus]
I am the crownless heir
No jewel, no golden chair
I carry all the names
Of those who suffered there
I am the crownless heir
No tyrant’s blood to spare
If I must rise, I rise for all
As one voice in their prayer

[Chorus]
I am the crownless heir
No king beyond repair
The throne is only worthy
When the lowest heart is heard
I am the crownless heir
No jewel, no golden chair
If I must rise, I rise for all
As one voice in their prayer

[Outro]
No crown upon my weary brow
No throne beneath my hand
Only a song, only a vow
Only a healing land