“Ashes in the Sky (Fourth of July)”

[Intro – Soft Vinyl Crackle, Solo Piano in F major]: [Organ swell in the background, as if heard faintly from a nearby church] [Vocal (delicate, almost a whisper)]: Lanterns in the yard... faded streamers in the trees... And silence where the laughter used to be... When it ends It ends If you're lucky It ends in the way that it started In the parking lot at sunset [Verse 1 – Gentle Soulful Delivery, Minimal Piano & Upright Bass]: Granddad’s flag still waves outside, But the porch light’s dim where he used to sit and smile. Little hands held sparklers tight, Now they hold a photo in a frame that won’t rewind. I know you think you are a firework I know you think that your name should be in lights You fly high You shine bright And then you die [Pre-Chorus – Strings Begin To Swell, Soft Snare Brushes]: Fireworks lit up the sky like grace, Now they just echo through empty space. I still remember how it used to feel... So bright, so loud, so real... But have you seen a firework When the show is over On the Fourth of July [Chorus – Vocal Soars, Choir Layers Whisper Beneath]: Ashes in the sky on the Fourth of July, Memories burn like a spark then die. We wave our flags but we still cry, For all the hearts that said goodbye. And I sing for you... beneath these skies of blue. [Verse 2 – Gentle Guitar Fingerpicking Joins]: Picnic blankets in the park, Melted ice cream, chasing fireflies in the dark. Now the grill’s gone cold, and the laughter’s thin, It’s just me and this sunset whispering. I know you wanted to go all night But I never thought you'd actually make it To the Fourth of July [Pre-Chorus – Return of Strings, Stronger Gospel Organ Presence]: I light one candle where the sparklers danced, Whispering prayers with trembling hands. You stood so proud in red, white, and blue... I still see the stars in you. But you're just a firework You're not a star You burn out fast [Chorus – Full Instrumental Swell, Choir Echoing “Ashes in the Sky”]: Ashes in the sky on the Fourth of July, Hearts like rockets that learn to fly. Some burn out but still leave light, Even in the silent night. And I sing for you... in red, white, and blue. [Bridge – Instrumental Break, Solo Violin & Soft Gospel Hums]: [Whispered Ad-lib]: Land of the free... but we all grieve too. Every spark... reminds me of you. [Final Chorus – Stripped Back, Then Builds into One Last Grand Rise]: Ashes in the sky on the Fourth of July, One last song for a lullaby. No parade, just the stars and I, Waving to the ones who passed us by. And I sing for you... Home of the brave, forever true. [Outro – Piano Fades, Distant Firework Echoes, Wind Chimes in the Distance]: You fly high You shine bright And then you die That's your life Oh It's over It's over On the Fourth of July Somewhere, you’re watching too… And I still sing for you.