[Verse 1] I was born in soot, baptized in flame Raised where the iron forgets its name Silver spoons don’t reach this side We forge our truth and swallow pride They wear silk gloves to clutch their gold While we bleed rust and do what we’re told But gears remember, wheels don't lie— And we are the storm they failed to buy [Pre-Chorus – (Low and tense, rising tension)] Tick-tick, fire grows… Cracks in the crown and no one knows… Ashes fall like snow and cinders— We’ve waited long… now we remember [Chorus – Big, Bold, Gang Vocals] We’re the ashes in the gears! Grinding truth through all your years! Steel hearts, black breath— Marchin’ through your borrowed death! Clocks will break, masks will fall— You built high, now hear the call! So raise your fists and stoke the flame— We ain’t cogs, and we ain’t tame! [Verse 2] Towers rise on our bent backs And every whip leaves silent cracks They dressed their lies in lace and pearls But couldn’t chain a dying world I’ve seen the smoke behind their throne Heard screams hum through copper and bone The ballroom’s full, the gaslight’s low— Let’s give 'em one hell of a show [Pre-Chorus – Spoken Over Organ Swell] “Hear that hiss? That’s pressure, love... You can only wind a spring so tight...” [Chorus – Repeat with Heavier Instrumentation] We’re the ashes in the gears! Grinding truth through all your years! Steel hearts, black breath— Marchin’ through your borrowed death! Clocks will break, masks will fall— You built high, now hear the call! So raise your fists and stoke the flame— We ain’t cogs, and we ain’t tame! [Bridge – Breakdown w/ Violin, Spoken Whisper + Chant] [*Violin tremolo + accordion arpeggios*] [Whispered (repeating and layering)]: “Tick... tock… break… the lock…” [Gang Chant (call and response)]: “Gears grind / Ashes fly! Smoke don't sleep / and steel won’t die!” [Final Chorus – Slower Start, Double Time Finish] We’re the ashes in the gears! Grinding down your gilded years! Steel hearts, forged in fire— Burnin’ through the empire’s choir! Strike the bell, seal your fate— Too damn loud to suffocate! You made us tools, you wrote our name— But we’re the forge—and we play no game! [Outro – Instrumental Fade with Ticking + Steam Whistle] [*Ticking clock slows…*] [*Steam hiss fades…]* [*One final clang, like a hammer on brass…*] [Spoken, low and rough]: “Gears turn. Empires fall. It’s just a matter of time…”
