[Intro: Music Box Melody, Sound of a match lighting] (Spoken Word, soft and tired) Yeah. It’s your pops. Joker X. This one’s for you two. [Verse 1: Soft Rap Flow, Minimal Beat] Seven years old You already read my mind You hold my face, ask, “Daddy, are you fine?” You see through armor, see the tired in my eyes You climb my chest, say, “Daddy, watch Bluey tonight?” Three years old, my little wrecking crew You jump on couches like they built just for you You spill your juice, then you laugh, “Oops, I missed” I’m mopping floors, you’re sliding through it, blowing me a kiss. I used to only chase a bag, chase pride Now I’m racing traffic just to make it home by five Tiny shoes by the door, little coats on a chair Two beds down the hall... that’s my billionaire. [Chorus: Sung, Melodic, Warm and Protective] You’re my light in the dark, yeah, my guardrails at night If this world turns cold, I’ma still hold tight It ain’t unicorns, it ain’t painted skies But I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Till the day I die. You’re my light in the dark, I don’t need no crown If the storm gets loud, I won’t back down Life hits hard, but we stand up twice I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Guardians after dark. [Verse 2: Stronger Flow, Drums Kick In] Listen up, baby girl, little man, sit close This whole thing rough, it can cut like a rope People talk tough, then they fold when it’s time Real strength quiet, it just shows up, don’t whine. Sometimes I’m broke, sometimes I’m bent Sometimes we counting quarters just to cover the rent But I’d rather you see that than some fake highlight ‘Cause perfect make-believe don’t prepare you to fight. Life ain’t all candy and glitter on screens Sometimes the hero lose, sometimes the crowd mean But when that school kid push, or that boss talk slick You remember who you are, not their name, that’s it! You stand up, even if your voice all shakes You keep kind, even when they spit in your face You call me, I don’t care if it’s four A.M. “Dad, can you come?” I’ll be there again. [Chorus: Sung, Anthemic, Layered Vocals] You’re my light in the dark, yeah, my guardrails at night If this world turns cold, I’ma still hold tight It ain’t unicorns, it ain’t painted skies But I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Till the day I die. You’re my light in the dark, I don’t need no crown If the storm gets loud, I won’t back down Life hits hard, but we stand up twice I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Guardians after dark. [Bridge: Minimal Music, Deep Voice, Low Register] When the monsters ain’t under your bed... They outside, they online, they inside your head. You don’t gotta fake brave, you don’t gotta pretend You just gotta say “Dad” And I’ll pull up again. (Sound of car engine revving) [Spoken] I’ll be parked on the curb. Engine running. Waiting. [Verse 3: Emotional Climax, High Energy] I’ll be there when your heart first break, first crush When you slam that door, yelling that you hate my guts! I’ll sit right here on the other side of the frame Say, “I ain’t going nowhere, you can keep that blame.” I’ll be there when my boy scuff knees, first fight When they say you weird ‘cause you don’t act right I’ll tell you, “Good, stay strange, stay loud, stay you If they all fit in the box, that box too few!” I’m not perfect, I snap, I cuss in the car I’m still learning how to be somebody’s star But every scar on my knuckles, every bill unpaid Just a brick in the house Where your fears get slayed! [Chorus: Grand Finale, Full Orchestra and Choir] You’re my light in the dark, yeah, my guardrails at night If this world turns cold, I’ma still hold tight It ain’t unicorns, it ain’t painted skies But I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Till the day I die! You’re my light in the dark, I don’t need no crown If the storm gets loud, I won’t back down Life hits hard, but we stand up twice I’m right here, kids, I’m right here, kids Guardians after dark. [Outro: Music Box Melody Fading Out] (Spoken softly) Sleep tight. Guardians after dark. (Fade to silence)
