Redemption (Raise the Tide) [Lyricist Showcase]: rock anthem from Rise of the Grigori
What if the price of freedom was everything you loved—and you chose to pay it anyway?
“Redemption (Raise the Tide)” is a soaring rock anthem inspired by my epic mermaid fantasy series Rise of the Grigori. It rises from the waves of Calandra’s world, where truth has been buried under centuries of lies and love becomes the most dangerous act of rebellion.
This song is about Calandra’s moment of reckoning—when courage costs dearly, loyalty is tested, and redemption demands both fire and grace. The song carries the pulse of her battle and the promise that even in the darkest depths, hope still fights to rise.
If you’ve ever stood your ground when everything tried to pull you under, this song is for you.
🎧 Listen now and raise the tide.
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Behind the Song
When I got back into songwriting earlier this year, this was the first song I started working on. But my songwriting muscles were flabby, and the results were mediocre.
After six months of exercising them, I felt ready to tackle this song again a few weeks ago. And, now that it’s ready for the world, I’m thrilled with the results.
When I first wrote it, the lyrics were too generic—it could have applied to pretty much any young adult fantasy heroine. Now it feels true to who Calandra is—a young woman fighting for freedom, truth, and love in a world built on enslavement and lies.
“Redemption (Raise the Tide)” is a rock anthem with big, cinematic energy, featuring bold guitars, soaring vocals, and a touch of grit. It captures Calandra’s resilience and strength, her belief that broken things can be made whole again, and her willingness to face the darkness instead of running from it.
I’m releasing it as a single, with another song from the series, “Elyon’s Children (A Mermaid Lullaby)” as the B-side track.
Music Video
Lyrics
Shadows creeping in my wake
A broken world I won’t forsake
Heaven above, it calls my name
Forgotten truth ignites the flame
Freedom from the Dragon’s lies
Is worth ev’ry sacrifice
I’ll rise
I’ll fight
I’ll raise the tide
My destiny won’t be denied
In love
In war
Redemption is the truth I’m fighting for
He trusted me to break his chains
Our shattered past, a hurricane
Yet in his eyes, I see my guide
We’ll face the storm as worlds collide
Together, we’ll break the lies
No matter the sacrifice
I’ll rise
I’ll fight
I’ll raise the tide
My destiny won’t be denied
In love
In war
Redemption is the truth I’m fighting for
In ancient songs, the truth appears,
The siren’s curse, the mermaid’s tears,
Through dragon fire, my soul refined
To save the world for every kind
I’ll rise
I’ll fight
I’ll raise the tide
My destiny won’t be denied
In love
In war
Redemption is the truth I’m fighting for
Redemption is the truth I’m fighting for
Song Details
Track Title: Redemption (Raise the Tide)
Album: Redemption (Raise the Tide) – single
Release date: October 20, 2025
Streaming release date: November 14, 2025
Credits:
Words and music by Talena Winters. ©2025 My Secret Wish Publishing. All rights reserved.
Sound recording ©2025 My Secret Wish Publishing.
Sound recording produced by Talena Winters. Includes audio (including some melodic elements) created with generative AI licensed for commercial use.
Video copyright 2025.
