[Low, twangy guitar riff, steady stomp beat, distant slide guitar] Verse 1 Whiskey glass cracked on the front porch rail She whispered a curse in a voice gone pale No sermon, no prayer, just a shadow in the flame It burned in my blood, and it carved out my name [Kick drum enters, guitars drag low, darker tone builds] Chorus (Hook) When the night runs colder than the rain When the fire dies, but the smoke still stains You can bury my body, but you can’t kill the pain Even when I’m gone, the demons will remain [Back to leaner groove, fingerpicked banjo or guitar with reverb] Verse 2 Highway hum with the ghosts in tow Her voice cuts deep through the radio Every mile’s just a grave I pave in dirt Every song’s a scar, every note still hurts [Full drive back into chorus — heavier stomp, layered harmonies] Chorus (Hook) When the night runs colder than the rain When the fire dies, but the smoke still stains You can bury my body, but you can’t kill the pain Even when I’m gone, the demons will remain [Bridge — drop instruments to a low growl, voice + faint slide guitar] I was never the saint you prayed I’d be Just a shadow in chains, walking endlessly My sins outlive the breath I breathe They’ll ride beside you when you think you’re free [Final Chorus — full grit, soaring but raw, all instruments in] When the night runs colder than the rain When the fire dies, but the smoke still stains You can bury my body, but you can’t kill the pain Even when I’m gone, the demons will remain [Outro — strip down to lone guitar riff + hushed vocal] Even when I’m gone… the demons will remain.
