[Intro – sparse piano, light brushed drums] [Verse 1] You don’t need a stage or flame Or headlines wrapped around your name If what you’re saying’s built to last It won’t depend on moving fast I’ve heard the thunder, heard the doubt Watched the smoke all spiral out Big words rising, thin as air Strong in volume, light in care [Pre-Chorus] I’m not asking you to shout Just tell me what it’s about [Chorus] Show your work, line by line Let the reason hold the spine If it’s solid, it will stay Even in the light of day Show your work, keep it plain Truth don’t need a marching band If it bends when pressure’s near It was never standing clear [Verse 2] The Experts talk in steady tone Like certainty is fully grown Doctor Doubt will smooth the seam Till nothing’s quite what it would seem Mr. Bombastic lifts the room Builds tomorrow out of boom But when the echo leaves the wall What remains to hold us all? [Pre-Chorus] No disguise, no disguise Just the ground beneath your eyes [Chorus] Show your work, take your time Let the numbers speak, not rhyme If it’s true, it won’t collapse Under simple, honest maps Show your work, nothing more No applause to settle score If you’re right, it will be clear Even when no crowd is near [Bridge – quieter, almost spoken] Say “I don’t know.” That’s a start. Say “I was wrong.” That’s the hard part. Truth survives without a show. That’s how you know. [Final Chorus – slightly fuller but still restrained] Show your work, let it stand No illusion in your hand If it holds, I’ll stand there too If it breaks, we start anew Show your work, leave it bare Nothing hidden anywhere When the noise has settled down That’s where something real is found [Outro – piano and organ fade gently]
