Battle Cry
Can we turn defensiveness into the courage to open up again after trauma?
Meaning
Battle Cry explores the transformation from emotional armor to authentic strength. It reflects on how trauma shapes the defense mechanisms we build to protect ourselves. The song asks a simple but difficult question: when life betrays us, who do we become?
The lone wolf metaphor symbolizes someone who learned to survive by building a wall around them and keeping everyone at arm’s length so that they won’t be hurt again. Pain turns into vigilance, and everything becomes a battle for survival. Many of us have been through this, whether through childhood wounds, betrayal, or years of carrying burdens alone.
But the song challenges the listener to consider a different path. Instead of living in defensely, what if we chose to transform pain into strength? What if courage meant not fighting harder, but allowing ourselves to feel again? The pre-chorus marks this turning point, where anger softens, tears become catharsis, and kindness becomes a conscious act of rebellion.
The core message is that trauma is part of your story, but not the author of your identity. Your past shapes your strength, but it does not confine the person you can become.
Battle Cry is a reminder that choosing to heal is its own form of power. It invites you to lower the walls and reclaim your courage to be vulnerable. Let this song be your mantra to reclaim your strength and open your heart once again.
Inspiration
Like all of my songs, Battle Cry isn’t just my personal story. It reflects on psychological patterns many people share. Still, I can write this archetype with honesty because I’ve lived through it myself.
A childhood event shaped me into someone who relied solely on myself. I refused to ask for help because I didn’t want to owe anyone anything. I hated being touched, even in friendly or affectionate ways. And I developed a sharp sarcasm, especially toward people who were close to me. The closer they were, the more sarcastic I was with them.
With time and self-reflection, I realized these weren’t just personality quirks. They were defense mechanisms to keep people at arm’s length and shielded me from any more pain. Hyper-independence gave me control so I never had to feel exposed or indebted. All of it came from fear, not strength.
It took me years to understand that expressing love and kindness isn’t weakness. Now I know I’m capable of defending myself if someone truly wants to hurt me. I don’t need to be guarded with everyone by default. Strength can coexist with softness. Courage can include connection.
I wrote Battle Cry as a mantra for anyone who shares this experience. Not a naive message to “just open up,” but an honest call to choose kindness because you’re the one who will start it. To believe in love because you owe it to yourself to experience it. And heal without diminishing the reality of what you’ve survived. My hope is that this song gives people the strength to shred their armor and let their heart feel again.
About the Runes
The red sigil on the Battle Cry cover is a fusion of three Elder Futhark runes, forming the symbol of the warrior wolf’s transformation. Each rune reflects a force she must awaken as she moves from living in the shadows to reclaiming her strength.
Tiwaz (ᛏ) represents the courage and discipline of the warrior. It marks the moment she chooses to stop living in defense and starts pursuing healing with intention.
Uruz (ᚢ) embodies primal strength and endurance, the raw vitality beneath fear. It’s the reminder that survival was never weakness, only the first stage of her power.
Eihwaz (ᛇ) symbolizes death, rebirth, and integration of shadow. It reflects her shift from being shaped by trauma to consciously transforming through it.
Combined, these runes form a symbol that represents her rebirth.
Lyrics
I was born on a battlefield
Always on guard
The world broke my trust far too much
I knew I must defend my own skin
When the lone wolf was cornered
Her heart hardened like stone
She fought through blood and broken bones
Her soul was always so cold
Now I believe in kindness
Because I’m the one who will start it
Now my tears bring me release
I’ve set my anger free
My traumas don’t define me
Cannot bind me
Can’t confine me
My past is part of strength I find
My warrior battle cry
Built the wall high up to the sky
Like a banner of pride
Hiding my pain inside
Hmm, the lies I’d tell myself
Said that I never needed any help
I was busy protecting myself
I’d forgotten to heal
Forgotten how to feel
Now I believe love exists
Because I owe it to my spirit
Now I’m learning how to live
I know I’m not alone
My traumas don’t define me
Cannot bind me
Can’t confine me
My past is part of strength I find
My warrior battle cry
My traumas don’t define me
Cannot bind me
Can’t confine me
My past is part of strength I find
My warrior battle cry
My traumas don’t define me
I am so much more
I’m so much more
My traumas don’t define me
I am so much more
I’m so much more
Credits
Music
Performer, Composer, & Producer: Tamlin.
Mixing & Mastering Engineer: Max Honsinger
Tagelharpa Cellist: Paul Johnson
