An original song by Chris York
A song about the consequences of sexual violence, the absence of justice, and the voice of a survivor who refuses to be forgotten.
Listen to the demo
This recording is a demo of my vision for the song.
The Story Behind the Song
Why Do You Walk Free? was written at the request of a woman close to me who survived rape and wanted some of what she felt afterwards expressed through a song.
It was inspired both by her experience and by my own anger and outrage at what happened to her — and at what did not happen afterwards: justice.
She was left carrying the emotional consequences of what was done to her while the person responsible was able to continue with his life.
The song gives voice to that mixture of pain, anger, disbelief and injustice.
She wants the song and its message to be heard, but her identity will remain private unless she chooses otherwise.
About the Demo
The lyrics, concept and creative direction are entirely my own.
I have used licensed AI music-production technology to create this demo of my vision for the song.
The recording is not intended to prescribe how the song must ultimately sound. I am open to an artist or producer creating their own arrangement, production and, if appropriate, melody, while preserving the core meaning and integrity of the lyric.
The song is available for consideration by recording artists, producers and publishers.
Lyrics
Verse 1
Taken—no warning, no say
No choice, just taken away
A moment for you, then it’s done
But I carry it on and on
You took something I can’t replace
Left it burned into my days
Not just that day in my mind—
It’s every second, all the time
Pre-Chorus
You left like nothing had changed
But nothing in me stayed the same
Chorus (Anthem)
You took something—but not my soul
You don’t get to take control
I’m still breathing, still alive
And I will rise, I will rise
Let it echo, let it ring
I am not your anything
You walked free—but understand—
I am stronger than I am broken
Verse 2
Do you think about it at all?
Do you replay what you call—
Nothing, just something you did?
Do you bury it, like I wish I could?
Do you go home, play the part?
Lie beside her, call it love?
Would you tell your sons the truth—
Or raise them just like you?
Pre-Chorus
Apple doesn’t fall too far
From the man you really are
Chorus
You took something—but not my soul
You don’t get to take control
I’m still breathing, still alive
And I will rise, I will rise
Let it echo, let it ring
I am not your anything
You walked free—but understand—
I am stronger than I am broken
Verse 3
“What were you wearing?” they would say
“Did you tease him?” “Did you flirt?”
Turn it back onto me
Like I asked for this to be
“Don’t go through it,” they advise
“They’ll destroy you if you try”
Courtroom cuts you open wide
While he stands there, dignified
Pre-Chorus
Your name protected, mine exposed
That’s the way the story goes
Chorus
You took something—but not my soul
You don’t get to take control
I’m still breathing, still alive
And I will rise, I will rise
Let it echo, let it ring
I am not your anything
You walked free—but understand—
I am stronger than I am broken
Bridge (raw, stripped)
Fear that lives inside my chest
Shame I never should possess
Anger I can’t lay to rest
A voice that still won’t stay suppressed
You took what was not yours to take
And the world helped you escape
But I’m still here, I’m still loud—
And I won’t be buried in your shadow
Break (spoken / quiet)
I want you to feel it…
Every second…
Every night…
Final Chorus (bigger, layered)
You took something—but not my soul
You don’t get to take control
I’m still breathing, still alive
And I will rise, I will rise
Let it echo, let it ring
I am not your anything
You walked free—but understand—
I am stronger than I am broken
Outro (soft, resolved)
You walked free…
But I rise…
Songwriting / Recording Enquiries
Chris York
Songwriter / Lyricist
Hear My Voice
07837189601