[Intro] (very soft, almost whispered; sweet but wrong) Hush now… Mama’s here. You can check in… but you won’t leave so clear. [Verse 1] (gentle, close-mic, lullaby-soft) There’s a little motel off Route 77, A flickering sign and a smile like heaven. Dust on the keys and a porch light dim, A cradle song in the hallway hymn. You say you need a room for the night, I say, “Of course, dear… step inside.” [Pre-Chorus] (breathy, rising, coaxing) Don’t mind the creaking boards, sweetheart, Don’t mind the crying through the wall. Fear is just a bedtime story… Till it learns your name, that’s all. [Chorus] (catchy, singable, nursery-rhyme feel) Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t you cry, Close your eyes and let the bad dreams by. Rock-a-bye, darling, stay awhile, Mama loves the terror in your smile. Hush now, honey, hear my lullaby— In this little motel, no one sleeps dry. Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t ask why… Just let the night tuck you inside. [Verse 2] (still sweet, a little more playful and sinister) Back in Texas, I was good and neat, Folded my hands, smiled soft and sweet. But I liked the part where the children ran, Wide-eyed, pale, from the things I planned. A haunted house can change its skin— Now it wears neon and a check-in grin. [Pre-Chorus 2] (warmer, darker, lightly theatrical) Keys at my waist like a mother’s tune, Moon in the window, hush in the room. If the walls move close, don’t be alarmed… You’re safer, darling, in mother’s arms. [Chorus] (fuller, stronger hook) Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t you cry, Close your eyes and let the bad dreams by. Rock-a-bye, darling, stay awhile, Mama loves the terror in your smile. Hush now, honey, hear my lullaby— In this little motel, no one sleeps dry. Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t ask why… Just let the night tuck you inside. [Bridge] (drop down; half-spoken, intimate, unsettling) Shh… You hear that, don’t you? The little scratching in the walls… The key turning where there is no door… The baby stirring when no baby should breathe… (build slowly, sweeter and more dangerous) Fear is such a lovely thing, Soft at first, then blossoming. A little seed… a little scream… A little poison in a dream. [Final Chorus] (biggest, layered harmonies, ghostly backing vocals) Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t you cry, Close your eyes and kiss your sanity goodbye. Rock-a-bye, darling, stay awhile, Mama keeps the darkness meek and mild. Hush now, honey, hear my lullaby— Every guest becomes a story by and by. Rock-a-bye, darling, don’t ask why… You checked in once— Now the fear won’t say goodbye. [Outro] (tiny, sweet, chilling) Sleep tight… Sweetheart. Mama’s still in the hall.
