[Piano Intro - sparse, haunting melody] [Verse 1] Three AM on the bathroom floor Empty bottle, broken door Blamed the devil, blamed the rain Blamed everyone but my own name Mirror cracked but still reflects The coward I can't stand to check [Pre-chorus] No more running from the ghost Of every promise that I broke [Chorus] Stay the course when the walls are closing Stay the course when the fire's rising Hold the line, bite the bullet Be the bastard who won't quit it Stay the course, stay the course [Guitar Solo - bluesy, string-bending intensity] [Verse 2] They said I'd end up just like him Dead-end job, bottle to the brim Tried to drag me back to that basement room Where futures go to meet their doom But every scar they carved in me Is fuel for what I have to be [Pre-chorus] Every morning when I rise I see the enemy in my own eyes [Chorus] Stay the course when the walls are closing Stay the course when the fire's rising Hold the line, bite the bullet Be the bastard who won't quit it Stay the course, stay the course [Bridge – stripped back, raw vocals] That night my hand was on the trigger, That night I almost killed the sound. I heard my father’s voice grow bigger, Spitting, “Girl, you don’t belong around.” But something in the darkness answered— Something in the void replied: “Not tonight. You’re not denied. Not until you’ve fought and the tears have dried.” [Extended Guitar Solo - aggressive, emotional climax] [Verse 3] Now I'm standing where I fell Built my hell and made it well Every brick they threw at me Is mortar in my legacy The blood, the sweat, the broken glass Are diamonds now, and they will last [Final Chorus - doubled intensity] Stay the course when the walls are closing Stay the course when the fire's rising Hold the line, bite the bullet Be the bastard who won't quit it Stay the course, stay the course Stay the course when they're all against you Stay the course when there's nothing left to Lose but pride and skin and bone You're not alone, you're not alone Stay the course, stay the course! [Powerful Outro] [All instruments blazing] [Final guitar riff fading to end]
