///*****/// [Stereo Widening: subtle, gradual] [Mic Setup: close male baritone, grounded, chest-forward] [Reverb: light plate, short tail] [Saturation: warm, restrained] [Tempo Feel: steady] [Start] [Country Instrumental Introduction – low dynamics, slow build; steel guitar breathing between phrases, light acoustic pulse] [Verse 1 – steady, grounded delivery; slight pauses between images; no emotional push] Before the sun comes up (half-beat pause) He's already gone Grabs his boots at the door (hold) His thermos still warm His name on his shirt Lunch pail in his hand (head nod emphasis) Headed for work Just to do it all again [Chorus – vocal opens wider; chest resonance; hold identity lines; harmony only on last two lines] He’s a working maaaan (hold) Doing all he caaan Calloused hands (brief breath) Building up his plans He gives his days He gives his nights So he can make a little somethin’ (lean in) When the world puts up a fight He’s a working man (steady, proud) Working hard to provide For all the loved ones (harmony enters) In his life... [Verse 2 – lower register; restrained, heavier tone; instrumentation slightly pulled back] He breaks through the mountain Coal dust in his lungs Carved his life in tunnels (hard stop) Hardly ever sees the sun Lunch pail and folded letters His kid's pictures in his hat Dreaming ’bout a piece of land And an ole’ swing in the back [Chorus – same melody; slightly firmer delivery; harmony returns only near the end] He’s a working maaaan Doing all he caaan Calloused hands Building up his plans He gives his days He gives his nights So he can make a little somethin’ When the world puts up a fight He’s a working man Working hard to provide For all the loved ones (harmony enters) In his life... [Bridge – instrumentation drops; vocal intimate and low; gradual rebuild] From the fields to the foundry Pipelines cutting through the clay They carry every burden So their boys won’t live this way [low vocal register – confessional, near-spoken] When the paychecks feel too small And the funds run low and thin (soft breath) He still walks through that door And hugs his kids with a grin [Final Chorus – widest vocal; confident, resolute; fuller harmony, hand claps] He’s a working maaaan (hold longer) Doing all he caaan Calloused hands Building up his plans He gives his days He gives his nights So he can make a little somethin’ When the world puts up a fight He’s a working man Working hard to provide For all the loved ones (full harmony) In his life... [Outro – stripped back; guitar and steel only; final lines half-sung] He may never win awards Or ever find fame But he can raise his head high When they call out his name… (calm, resolved) ’Cause he will always be… (short pause) ……a workin’ man [Country Instrumental – fades slow to end] (He’s a working maaaan) (Doing all he caaan) (Calloused hands) (Building up his plans) (He gives his days) (He gives his nights) (So he can make a little somethin’) (When the world puts up a fight) (He’s a working man) (Working hard to provide) (For all the loved ones) (In his life...)
