VH 250 DRAINED THEN DISCARDED

DRAINED THEN DISCARDED | Afro Gospel Jazz on Reclaiming Your Power A woman tells the story so many will recognize — believing she found love, only to discover she was being drained of her light again and again. Carried by a sensational lead cello, gospel piano and percussion, this song is both a mirror and a solution: protect your power, choose with care. Lead Cello · Percussion · Piano #DrainedThenDiscarded #afrogospel #jazzinstrumental #womensempowerment #selflove #cellomusic Lyrics DRAINED THEN DISCARDED [Intro - Lead cello, deep and haunting, piano entering softly, light percussion] [Verse 1] Again I thought that this one was the one Again I opened up my nights, my sun I gave my light like I was giving bread I thought I was feeding love, not being bled But he drank my power, never gave it back He mined my fire just to fill his lack And when he left, he left me hollow, dry A golden shell that someone stripped and left to cry How many times have I rebuilt these walls How many times have I healed from these falls Always the same story, a different face Always the same theft, a different place [Pre-Chorus] But something in me finally understood It wasn't love that dragged me where I stood It was me, wide open, giving without sight It's time, it's time to guard my light [Chorus] I don't give myself to who don't deserve I keep my fire, I keep my nerve The answer is to choose with careful eyes Who gets the right to walk into my life I rise (I choose myself), I rise (I protect my peace) My power's not for sale, my power's mine to keep [Verse 2] Now I take the time to know myself first Before I let a heart approach, immerse I watch the hands before I give them mine I watch the actions before I trust the sign I don't chase what keeps on running from me I don't fill the night just to feel free I choose the peace before the passion's flame I choose the truth before I learn his name Whoever comes will have to earn my fire Will have to prove, will have to rise up higher I am not a well for you to drain I am a source, and I know how to reign [Pre-Chorus] But something in me finally understood It wasn't love that dragged me where I stood It was me, wide open, giving without sight It's time, it's time to guard my light [Chorus] I don't give myself to who don't deserve I keep my fire, I keep my nerve The answer is to choose with careful eyes Who gets the right to walk into my life I rise (I choose myself), I rise (I protect my peace) My power's not for sale, my power's mine to keep [Bridge - Spoken, powerful and grounded, emotional rise] (Spoken, with conviction) I am not a bottomless well I am not a free source of light Whoever comes must bring, not only take And if you cannot give, then don't come near (Light choir ad-libs underneath) Ohhh... I protect my peace... ohhh... I rise... [Cello Solo - lead, maximum emotional depth, live concert feel, dramatic build, piano and percussion supporting] [Piano Solo - jazz gospel, intimate breakdown, before the final rise] [Final Chorus - full power, choir, cello and voice in full fusion] I don't give myself to who don't deserve I keep my fire, I keep my nerve The answer is to choose with careful eyes Who gets the right to walk into my life I rise, I rise, ohhh My power is mine, my power is mine [Outro - Cello alone, voice whispering, percussion fading] My power... is mine... I choose myself... at last...