[Vocal character: intimate androgynous lead, clear yet softly textured, with seamless register transitions. Preserve the same gender-ambiguous timbre in exposed phrases, full-voice peaks and layered harmonies.] [Verse 1] [Submerged, intimate androgynous lead voice above low piano and high cello harmonics. Porcelain taps are distant and uneven.] Swallowed an entire ocean whole Buried beneath an undertow Knew it would eventually be so [First repetition close and restrained; second gains a distant upper harmony, like light reaching the surface.] Not so deep Not so deep [Pre-Chorus] [Bring the voice forward. Harp ascends; a warm bass pulse establishes resolve while drums stay withheld.] It knows its rule But it'll never be mine [First promise restrained, second firmer. A low tom marks the breath before the chorus.] That's a promise I made to myself That's a promise I made to myself [Chorus] [Shape the four refrain cycles as a gradual expansion: solo, doubled, stacked, then full communal harmony. Guitar waves and toms grow with each cycle.] [Solo lead over bass and piano; keep the pulse spacious.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Add close vocal harmony and plucked harp.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Bring in deep floor toms and a slow guitar swell.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Open the full harmony stack; retain a clear central lead.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Verse 2] [Collapse to chamber textures, but retain the bass heartbeat. Allow contradictory emotions to alter the delivery without changing tempo.] Full of salt and rage and blood and sand Full of hope and disappointment Holding out a hand Crying [Open the vocal tone on the invitation, then tighten it on the rejection; the bass sustains through both.] "Please come in" and "Get off my land" [A swell of strings answers the first phrase; sustained guitars answer the second, then recede.] It comes in waves It comes in waves [Pre-Chorus] [Firmer and more exposed; a rising cello line leads into a brief silence.] It knows its rule But it'll never be mine That's a promise I made to myself That's a promise I made to myself [Final Chorus] [Start larger and expand each refrain cycle again. Keep the lead melody stable; final cycle is the widest, then let instruments fall away.] [Begin with full warm bass and broad guitar harmony.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Add an upper octave vocal and stronger tom accents.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Reach the widest choir and deepest sustained guitar wave.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Let the drums fall away during the last line; hold voices over the decaying chord.] I know You know We know They know That's just the way it goes [Outro] [Instrumental. One slow tide of bowed vibraphone and porcelain fades into silence.]
