[Verse 1] Gravel road Moon like a closed eye Lantern swinging Throwing shapes on the pines Breath makes a little cloud Name on my tongue Won’t say it out loud Owl in the rafters Counting each doubt [Chorus] I met my shadow at the pilgrim gate Wearing my face But a touch too late He said “All you buried I have kept it safe” “Walk through the dark or you never wake” (I met my shadow) [Verse 2] Hands stained with small sins Cracks in the stories I swore were clean He traced every fault line Knew where the shame had been He showed me broken teeth In the smile I give to be believed Held out a mirror That only I could see [Chorus] I met my shadow at the pilgrim gate Wearing my fear like a borrowed grace He said “All you’re fleeing is the missing page” “Read every line or you never change” (I met my shadow) [Bridge] [Voices swell Distant and choral] Kneel in the ashes Name every ghost Drink from the river You’ve dammed the most He took my anger Laid it in my hands Said “Call it your power Or lose it again” [Chorus] I met my shadow at the pilgrim gate Eyes like mine But awake Awake He said “If you hold me I will hold your pain” “Walk through my darkness We leave as one name” (I met my shadow, oh) [Outro] Lantern fading But I see more now Two sets of footsteps Learning one vow (carry me, carry me)
