[Intro: Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, Soft piano doubling the harmony, A subtle ambient pad, almost unnoticed] [Verse 1: Warm but tired baritone male vocal, Whispered Confession, Extremely Close Mic, Breath-Heavy, Acoustic guitar, Warm upright bass entering quietly, Sparse piano, Light brushed snare or rim-click percussion after the first verse] My coffee’s old…my Mac is glowing The clock shows 3:45 a.m. Sending e-mails, closing deals Paying bills that never end [Pre-Chorus] My career has become shackles I’ve been sentenced to hard time Stone by stone, I built my kingdom Now I’m a prisoner inside [Verse 2: Mandolin or acoustic arpeggios, Gentle cello weaving a counter-melody, Background vocal harmonies appearing sparingly, remove ALL percussion] My two little boys, wearing my boots Marching through the living room One says, “Daddy, watch me work” One says, “I wanna be like you.” [Pre-Chorus] Their laughter fills the house I wipe a tear and look away If they grow up and follow me Will they walk in the footprints I made? [Chorus: Full strummed acoustic guitar, Piano becomes more rhythmic, Cello and violin lifting the melody, Tasteful harmony vocals, Light kick drum and snare] I worship at an altar That I built with my own hands Though I tell myself I am the king I bow down to my own commands I’ve worshipped me, myself, and I The Trinity I called truth. But tonight, I’m trading trinities. Unholy me, for Holy You [Verse 3: Mandolin or acoustic arpeggios, Gentle cello weaving a counter-melody, Background vocal harmonies appearing sparingly] I still remember Sunday mornings Sketching cartoons with my pen The preacher preached, Follow Jesus I heard the words, but didn’t let Him in [Pre-Chorus] Now my success has left me empty As I sit on the throne of my heart The Trinity I have worshipped Dies in the light of who You are [2-Beat rest] [Bridge: Solo piano and cello, Prayerful Voice nearly exposed, Then gradually rebuild with strings and harmonies] Father (Echo), take Your place on the throne Son, forgive me for wandering far from home Holy Spirit, breathe new life in what has died Create a humble heart in me [Final Chorus: Acoustic guitar, Piano, Full string quartet, Upright bass, Light percussion, Three- or four-part vocal harmonies—not a huge choir, just warm, human voices.] I’m giving up control Asking You to take command. Your mercy writes a better ending Than the prison of my plans The Trinity I created Made promises with lies So Im giving you everything tonight; Make Your life replace mine [Outro: Fingerpicked acoustic guitar, Soft piano doubling the harmony, A subtle ambient pad, almost unnoticed, prayerful vocal] Breaking my shackles won’t be easy. But I know You’re by my side Mercy found this weary heart, And grace forgave my pride My sons may never know this night I pray they’ll see as years go by A father who stepped off the throne So Christ could reign inside [Tag - Soft, A Cappella like the closing of a prayer] I’m Trading Trinities tonight
