[Intro – buzzing amplifier, loose drum count-in] One, two— One, two, three, four! [Verse 1 – rough, relaxed male vocal] The doctor drew a little line Said, “Kid, you’re running out of time” I asked him if he played guitar He didn’t laugh, so there we are There’s something burning in my chest It doesn’t sleep, it doesn’t rest It lights the cracks beneath my skin And every day it settles in [Pre-Chorus – guitars begin to rise] I could lock the door I could keep it small But what’s the point of having light If I don’t spend it all? [Chorus – loud, catchy, bittersweet] White-gold fire Burn me down to the wire I’ll keep the whole damn city warm Until I’m smoke above the storm White-gold fire Take me higher and higher I know exactly how this ends So let me burn for something, friends [Post-Chorus – gang vocals] Hey! Hey! Until there’s nothing left! Hey! Hey! I’m not done helping yet! [Verse 2 – driving garage-rock rhythm] I pulled a stranger from the flame Never even caught their name Took all the poison from their veins Then slept for sixteen hours straight My hands were glowing through the sheets My heart forgot a couple beats Harper said, “You look like hell” I said, “Yeah, but I wear it well” [Pre-Chorus – more urgent] I could turn away I could save my breath But living just to stay alive Feels too much like death [Chorus] White-gold fire Burn me down to the wire I’ll keep the whole damn city warm Until I’m smoke above the storm White-gold fire Take me higher and higher I know exactly how this ends So let me burn for something, friends [Instrumental Break – reckless, distorted guitar solo] [Bridge – quieter, melancholic, nearly spoken] I’m scared I’ll lose the little things Cold soda cans and broken strings The garage door at half past two My mother calling, “Is that you?” I’m scared one day I’ll touch your hand And feel like something less than a man Just heat and light without a name A song swallowed by the flame [Drums return, slow and heavy] But if somebody calls for help I know I won’t choose myself [Final Chorus – explosive, full-band gang vocals] White-gold fire Burn me down to the wire I’ll hold the falling skyline up Even when I’ve had enough White-gold fire Turn my bones into a choir And if my final spark goes dark At least it left a little mark White-gold fire I won’t die behind a door I’ve got love enough to waste And lives worth burning for [Outro – instruments breaking apart, feedback and group vocals] Hey! Hey! Until there’s nothing left! Hey! Hey! I’m not done helping yet! [Lucas, laughing softly] Okay—maybe after this one. [Final distorted chord]
