MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE [INTRO — distant thunder, delicate piano, trembling violin] [MAN] When the red moon rises and the radios cease, Meet me by the old tree where we promised peace. [WOMAN] When the black birds scatter and the bright stars flee, I’ll follow your fire to the Mercy Tree. [VERSE 1 — alternating every two lines, intimate vocals] [MAN] Sirens sing sorrow through shattered streets, Cold concrete quivers beneath our feet. [WOMAN] Lightning leaves letters of light in the sky, But I’ll bring the blanket—don’t bother asking why. [MAN] Bring that blue bracelet I bought by the bay, I’ll bring every word I was frightened to say. [WOMAN] I’ll wear the white dress with the wildflower seams, And carry the compass that points to our dreams. [MAN] Past the fallen fountain, past fire and debris, Follow the fox prints that flow toward the tree. [WOMAN] Past panic and prophets predicting the sea, I’ll run through the ruin—just wait there for me. [PRE-CHORUS — piano builds, violin answers each voice] [MAN] If heaven is hiding, I’ll hold you below. [WOMAN] If daylight is dying, I’ll still see you glow. [MAN] If time takes the towns and the towers we knew— [WOMAN] Then time can take everything, everything but you. [CHORUS — both voices, huge piano and soaring violin] [BOTH] MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where your name is carved beside the name of me. When the whole world ends and the wild winds scream, We’ll be two true hearts in the final scene. MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where the roots run deep through eternity. If the stars all fall and the oceans flee, Let the last thing standing be you and me. [POST-CHORUS — back-and-forth over pulsing synths] [MAN] You and me— [WOMAN] By the Mercy Tree— [MAN] Endlessly— [WOMAN] Where you promised me— [BOTH] If the world won’t wake, we’ll wake the dream, Holding hope beneath the Mercy Tree. [VERSE 2 — stronger drums, faster handoffs] [WOMAN] Ash falls softly like silver snow, Still, through the smoke, I can see where to go. [MAN] Maps may be meaningless, miles may bend, Follow my heartbeat—it knows where they end. [WOMAN] Rivers are rising, roads disappear, But love leaves a lantern whenever you’re near. [MAN] Mountains may crumble and monuments fall, I’ll write you a message on what’s left of the wall. [WOMAN] “Wait where the willow wears ribbons of white.” [MAN] “Wait where our initials still live in the light.” [WOMAN] “Wait where you kissed me that warm summer night.” [MAN] “I’ll wait through forever—I’ll make it all right.” [PRE-CHORUS — choir enters softly] [WOMAN] If heaven is hiding, I’ll hold you below. [MAN] If daylight is dying, I’ll still see you glow. [WOMAN] If time takes the towns and the towers we knew— [MAN] Then time can take everything, everything but you. [CHORUS — explosive duet, cinematic EDM drop] [BOTH] MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where your name is carved beside the name of me. When the whole world ends and the wild winds scream, We’ll be two true hearts in the final scene. MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where the roots run deep through eternity. If the stars all fall and the oceans flee, Let the last thing standing be you and me. [BRIDGE — heartbeat bass, lone piano, voices trading each line] [MAN] Five things I see: your face, then the flame. [WOMAN] Four things I feel: your fingers, my name. [MAN] Three things I hear: the wind and your prayer. [WOMAN] Two steady hearts saying, “I’ll meet you there.” [MAN] One final truth when the future turns black— [WOMAN] Love leaves a trail that will lead lovers back. [MAN] No kings, no kingdoms, no gold, no decree— [WOMAN] Could keep me from coming back home to our tree. [BUILD — pounding piano, racing violin, rising orchestral drums] [MAN] I see you running through radiant rain! [WOMAN] I see you waiting through wildfire and pain! [MAN] The sky splits open—the skyline is gone! [WOMAN] But under our branches, the birds carry on! [MAN] No fear— [WOMAN] No flight— [MAN] No final goodbye— [WOMAN] Just love lifting louder than thunder can cry! [FINAL CHORUS — maximum orchestra, choir, piano, violin and EDM synths] [BOTH] MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where your name is carved beside the name of me. When the whole world ends and the wild winds scream, We’ll be two true hearts in the final scene. MEET ME BY THE MERCY TREE, Where the roots run deep through eternity. If the stars all fall and the oceans flee, Let the last thing standing be you and me. [MAN] When the red moon rises— [WOMAN] I’ll race to the tree. [MAN] When the last bell rings— [WOMAN] Keep waiting for me. [MAN] When the heavens break— [WOMAN] You’re where I will be. [BOTH] At the end of the earth, we’ll begin by the tree. [OUTRO — soft piano and intertwining violins] [MAN] When the radios cease— [WOMAN] When the world sets us free— [BOTH] Meet me, my love, by the Mercy Tree.
