[Verse 1] Barefoot kid on a gravel road Sunburnt skin and a hand-me-down soul Daddy said “boy just work that land” Life was simple, just do what you can Tractor rollin’ at the break of dawn Radio playin’ them old-time songs Didn’t need much, just sky and time Never knew I’d leave that life behind ⸻ [Pre-Chorus] Then the bills got bigger, the days got long Clock started tickin’ like a cold steel song ⸻ [Chorus] Welcome to the machine, son Where the work don’t end and the lines all run Trade your time for a number and a name Lose your soul just to stay in the game Welcome to the machine, boy Where the wheels don’t stop and the noise don’t slow You can’t hear who you used to be Once you’re caught in the machine ⸻ [Verse 2] Steel-toe boots on a concrete floor Punchin’ in just to punch some more Fluorescent lights where the sun don’t shine Days blur together, no end in sight Phone keeps ringin’, boss wants more Bank account don’t feel like yours Every dollar got a chain attached Every minute just fades to black ⸻ [Pre-Chorus] Heartbeat steady but it don’t feel mine Like I’m runnin’ on borrowed time ⸻ [Chorus] Welcome to the machine, son Where the work don’t end and the lines all run Trade your time for a number and a name Lose your soul just to stay in the game Welcome to the machine, boy Where the wheels don’t stop and the noise don’t slow You can’t hear who you used to be Once you’re caught in the machine ⸻ [Bridge – Floyd Moment] (drop drums, heavy synth, steel guitar crying) I remember dirt roads callin’ my name Now it’s numbers, screens, and a faceless game Was I livin’… or just bein’ used? Was I buildin’… or just being moved? (whisper layer) “System online… system online…” ⸻ [Final Chorus – Bigger / Emotional] Welcome to the machine, son Where the man you were comes undone Every dream gets bought and sold Turn your heart into steel and gold Welcome to the machine, boy Where the silence screams and the truth gets low You can’t run and you can’t break free When you become the machine ⸻ [Outro] (machine hum returns, wind fades out) Steel fades into wind…
