[Intro — exposed vocal, distant steel resonance] Rain on the cable Red light on steel [Verse 1 — close vocal, broken pulse] I checked the span Checked every seam Pulled back the cable Till there was nothing between Your hand on the railing Your eyes on the gap The river keeps moving You stay where you’re at [Pre-Hook — pressure rising, phrases tightening] Your body knows the way Your feet know what to do I’ve taken all the distance I can take from you [Hook — drums open, wide vocal doubles, hard stops] THE BRIDGE IS DOWN But I can’t cross it for you THE BRIDGE IS DOWN There’s nothing left to move One step now One step through THE BRIDGE IS DOWN But I can’t cross it for you [Post-Hook — complete dropout] One foot— [Silence] Still on your side [Verse 2 — lower register, pulse rebuilt] I found all the weak points I learned where it gave Marked every loose board Every edge that would cave I rode through the weather I stayed through the shift I brought you to the line But the last step is you [Pre-Hook 2 — shorter, more urgent] Your hand is on the rail The warning light cuts through I’ve taken all the distance I can take from you [Hook — wider, restrained backing response] THE BRIDGE IS DOWN But I can’t cross it for you THE BRIDGE IS DOWN There’s nothing left to move One step now One step through THE BRIDGE IS DOWN But I can’t cross it for you [Bridge — pulse collapses, voice nearly alone] I can hold the line I can call your name I can keep the light on I can’t lift your weight The river keeps its current The cables hold the wind You lean into the crossing Then pull back again [Final Hook — first line exposed, full arrangement answers] THE BRIDGE IS DOWN [Full arrangement enters] But I can’t cross it for you THE BRIDGE IS DOWN There’s nothing left to prove One step now One step through THE BRIDGE IS DOWN But I can’t cross it— [Hard stop] For you [Outro — vocal recedes, river and warning signal remain] Your hand on the railing Red light on steel The bridge is still waiting The bridge is still real
