[Intro – solo piano and distant strings, sparse and intimate] Verse 1 [Intimate male vocal, classical style, melancholy over piano and strings] I came because some foolish part of me still believed That the boy I bled beside could still be retrieved We spoke of peace like it was something we could find While the ash in my pocket reminded me of what you left behind You smiled the way you used to when the wine was sweet and new And for a moment I allowed myself to think it might be true That brotherhood could survive the weight of crowns and gold That maybe, even now, the story wasn’t fully told Chorus [Melodic male vocal, classical and emotional over swelling strings] This is the last parley I will ever keep The final words between us while my heart still beats I see the lie behind your eyes, the blade you hide so well But even as it finds me, I can’t bring myself to hate the hand that fell Verse 2 [Intimate male vocal, classical, more reflective] You asked if I would bend, if I would finally see the light I told you I would rather die than watch my people lose the night You nodded like a brother, like the choice had broken you Then the steel was in my side before the sentence was through I feel the cold begin to spread, the world is getting thin I see the girl I couldn’t save, I see the war we couldn’t win But in the fading light I still reach out for you Because some part of me still hopes you’ll catch me as I fall through Chorus [Melodic male vocal, classical and emotional over swelling strings] This is the last parley I will ever keep The final words between us while my heart still beats I see the lie behind your eyes, the blade you hide so well But even as it finds me, I can’t bring myself to hate the hand that fell Bridge [Switch to Female vocal layers, ethereal choir-like over solo cello and strings, deeply introspective] Some betrayals don’t arrive with thunder or with fire They come dressed as old friends and the warmth you still desire I forgive the hand that killed me, but I cannot forgive the smile That made me hope, just for a moment, that you were still worthwhile Outro [Intimate male vocal fading with full orchestra and distant choir] This is the last parley… And I am going home… Tell my people I stood tall… Even as the dark took hold…
