[Intro | brief breathy wooden flute call | one short phrase only | immediate full-band heavy entrance | deep hand drum enters with band for isolated weight] [Verse 1 | tight rhythmic phrasing] The cord bites hard around my leg Stone burns beneath my heel I came here bound from Tlaxcallan They gave me wood and feather He watches where the tether ends I let him step inside the length His obsidian cuts across my shield He still must bring it near me [Pre-Chorus | rising pressure | final word sustained into brief hold] The drum strikes once He closes in I taste the blood between my teeth The drum strikes twice His footing breaks— Then let the next one step inside! [Chorus | broad heroic lift | full band] YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! Bound to your stone, I stand With feathered wood against black glass Bring every man you have You made the ground, you made the rules— YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! [Verse 2 | heavier groove | controlled] The next one saw the first man fall He waits for me to spend myself Good. I strike his shield and turn him wide Then drive the wood beneath it No edge— just weight, just hands that know where to land The drum returns before my breath Before this stone they offered me their blade One road home if I would fight for them I would not raise it against my own Or carry capture home [Chorus | stronger heroic lift] YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! With blood-soaked wood in hand Bring black glass into the sun Bring every man you have You made the ground, you made the rules— YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! [Instrumental Turn | brief wooden flute answer | guitar-led | short] [Verse 3 | heroic peak | increasing rhythmic density] I stopped counting faces When blood closed half my sight Now I know them by their footsteps By the way they enter light One circles wide— I drag him closer One drives straight— I give him stone My shield is split along the rim The feathers cling together The wood grows dark inside my hands And still the hands obey. [Final Chorus | maximum heroic lift | full chest belt] YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! Still standing on your stone Bring every edge Bring every shield You built this death for one bound man— THEN FACE THE MAN! YOU STILL HAVE TO FACE ME! While my hands still answer me— COME TAKE ME DOWN! [Final Verse | melodic | full singing | restrained final cadence] My left hand will not hold its grip The next man enters slow I see the opening I've used before And turn to meet the blow But this time when I plant my foot My leg gives way below The drum is beating when I fall I hear it. I do not rise. [End]
