[Intro: 8-second instrumental. Folk-punk ballad with cinematic dynamics, watery, drowning atmosphere. Driving galloping acoustic guitar. Ambient electric guitar beneath with open chords, subtle swells and water-like textures. Banjo enters at first pre-chorus. Kick enters first chorus. Bass enters Verse 2. Snare and brushes gradually build. Electric fades during intimate moments. Two beats of silence after "Everything goes black." Spoken dialogue completely dry with no music. Acoustic returns alone before bridge, then band slowly rebuilds.] [Vocal: Young male, wiry, raw, slightly cracked, emotionally exposed, defiant but vulnerable. Natural imperfections kept.] [Vocal: Conversational in verses, pushing harder through choruses. "Saint Mercy drags me underneath" is sung as a traumatic memory being relived, then everything cuts to silence.] [Verse 1] I swim both ways Against Saint Mercy's current It wants to drag me down Like a chameleon fish fighting through the nets I don't know where I'm goin' I don't know what I'm becoming But I know I have to get there To the old dock calling me River water fills my mouth Eyes shut against the current My muddy Docs wait on the shore [Pre-Chorus] Beneath Saint Mercy's graffitied bridge Past dead fish and rusted rails Through dead reeds and rainbow runoff I won't let the river choose [Chorus] I swim both ways I drift and sway Pulled by the bend Pulled back again I swim both ways I fade, I stay Lost in the current Lost in the day [Verse 2] Concrete pillars disappear below Rusted grates above my head A seven-point star scored through the rust A shock runs through my chest One heartbeat is all it takes My hands let go before I know Saint Mercy drags me underneath Everything goes black [Chorus] I swim both ways I drift and sway Pulled by the bend Pulled back again I swim both ways I fade, I stay Lost in the current Lost in the day [Interlude] "...Easy." "No shoes in the river, punk." "...I left 'em." "...Good." [Bridge] Found my first friend On that rusted dock We never shook on promises Or said forever Just two Saint Mercy boys With nowhere left to stay [Outro] I guess He pulled me back From drowning that day
