[Spoken Intro] “In the forests of northern Sweden, the old people told stories that were never written down.” “They spoke of the Vittra… the Hidden Ones.” “They said the forests were never empty.” “And if you heard cattle bells after sunset…” “Turn around.” “Never follow the sound.” ⸻ Verse 1 The last light faded behind the mountains. The pines stood silent. Not a single bird sang. Only the river moved through the valley like it had for a thousand years. Grandfather stopped walking. He looked into the trees. “Listen…” Far away… A cattle bell. Slow. Lonely. Impossible. There wasn’t a farm within twenty miles. ⸻ Verse 2 I laughed. He didn’t. He removed his hat and whispered into the wind, “Good evening… We mean no harm.” Then he turned away. I asked him why. He answered, “Some roads belong to us. Some roads belong to them.” ⸻ Chorus Don’t follow the bells. Don’t chase the voices. Don’t cross the stream when the mist stands still. The Hidden Ones already know you’re there. ⸻ Verse 3 Years passed. Grandfather was gone. People called the stories old superstition. One autumn evening I walked alone. Then I heard it. One bell. Then another. Slowly… Drawing me deeper between the pines. ⸻ Verse 4 I found a wooden fence. Fresh. Strong. Impossible. There were no houses. No roads. Only tiny footprints pressed into the moss. Then laughter. Children… Or something trying to sound like children. ⸻ Chorus Don’t follow the bells. Don’t answer your name. When the forest grows silent… You’re no longer alone. ⸻ Bridge The mist opened. For only a heartbeat. I saw lights. Small houses. Smoke rising from stone chimneys. People… Dressed in another age. Watching me. Not speaking. Waiting. Then… Everything disappeared. ⸻ Verse 5 I ran. Branches reached for my coat. The bells followed me. Closer. Closer. Until suddenly… Silence. I was standing on the same path where I had entered. The sun was rising. But one thing had changed. My footprints ended in front of me. There were none leading in. ⸻ Final Chorus Don’t follow the bells. Respect the forest. Some stories survive because someone came back. Others… were never told. ⸻ Outro “If you ever walk through the forests of northern Sweden…” “And hear cattle bells where no cattle should be…” “Keep walking.” “Whatever is calling you…” “Already knows your name.”i
