[INSTRUMENTAL — twang guitar riff, bongos and muted brass entering] [VERSE 1 — long melodic phrasing, strings moving underneath] Voss called the marina office just before we left for Pier Nine He asked for Mara first, then me, then made us listen on the line He said, "Each of you gets one clean exit, but the other's mine" Then he told her she could have Eli if she left me there behind [CHORUS — open melodic hook, brass blooming darkly] The terms of surrender The terms of surrender One walks free One pays forever [VERSE 2 — quicker vocal, bongos rolling underneath] He told me I could keep the money and a car across the line All he wanted was the brown bag and Mara left behind I watched her listening for my answer with her brother in her eyes I said, "You always did mistake me for one of your guys" [CHORUS — open melodic hook, brass blooming darkly] The terms of surrender The terms of surrender One walks free One pays forever [INSTRUMENTAL — swirling guitar and trumpet trading phrases] [VERSE 3 — brighter, vocal riding the chromatic bass] Mara took the telephone and asked if Eli knew the deal Voss said, "He knows his sister has a chance to make this real" She said, "Then tell him I am coming", and she put the receiver down Neither of us mentioned what was offered [CHORUS — open melodic hook, brass blooming darkly] The terms of surrender The terms of surrender One walks free One pays forever [BRIDGE — intimate melody, brass pulsing softly] We checked the copies in the brown bag, checked the lawyer's cash Checked the gun she'd taken from Nico's private stash I asked her if the gun was loaded; she said, "Yes" I didn't check it [VERSE 4 — vulnerable melodic phrasing, guitar glowing] Outside the pier lights made a yellow road across the sea Mara said, "Whatever happens, don't make Eli choose for me" I said, "Whatever happens, don't you run off with my keys" She almost laughed [CHORUS — fullest hook, twang guitar and brass together] The terms of surrender The terms of surrender One walks free One pays forever [OUTRO — twang riff returning, vocal echoing over bongos] The terms of surrender The terms of surrender We heard his offer And went together
