[Intro: Gentle fingerpicked acoustic guitar only] [Verse 1: Soft, intimate vocals, close-mic] When the lights begin to fade away And shadows claim the end of day When the dream awakens, cold and deep I wake beside the lake of sleep The water’s edge is thin and gray Where the ghosts of memory play. [Verse 2: Storytelling tone] Mist is shimmering in the pale moonlight A raven circles in lonely flight I stand on the shore and I look across To find the beauty in all my loss There you stand, waving your hand From the borders of that silent land. [Chorus: Strummed guitar, more volume in voice] The ferryman rows through the veils of white Cutting through the velvet night Coming closer, steady and slow To the place where the weary spirits go I look at you—oh, the pull is strong But I don’t belong where you belong No, my time hasn't come today. [Verse 3: Resolute and firm] I turn my back, hear the ferryman call His voice like stones that start to fall But I won’t look back, I walk the line The sun in the morning is still mine Every night I return to this shore To face the boatman and the oar. [Bridge: Very slow, melancholic, nearly whispered] Every morning I wonder, when will it end? When will I walk around the final bend? Until then I struggle, until then I fight Living my life 'til the fall of the night Then I’m back at the lake, back by your side. [Chorus: Strong final delivery] The ferryman rows through the veils of white Cutting through the velvet night Coming closer, steady and slow To the place where the weary spirits go I look at you—oh, the pull is strong But I don’t belong where you belong. [Outro: Slow down, single guitar notes] When the lights fade out When the shadows grow In the darkest night, you’re the light I know. Not today, my love... not today. [Final acoustic chord rings out] [Dampen strings]
