[ENSEMBLE – whisper chant, over sparse beat] Voice in the wild, voice in the dust Wears no crown, but they still trust Camel hair, fire in his veins Says the King is coming—change your chains ⸻ [JOHN THE BAPTIST – beat drops, bold and gritty flow] I’m not the One—don’t twist the claim I’m not Elijah, I ain’t playin’ that game I’m not the Prophet they’ve been waitin’ to see I’m just a voice in the desert—makin’ the way free Repent. The kingdom is near Wash your heart, make your soul clear I baptize with water, yeah, that’s my lane But someone’s comin’ with a holy flame ⸻ [PRIESTS – polished, confrontational tone] Then who are you? By what right? You stir up crowds, you preach and fight If you’re not the Christ or Elijah returned— Then who gave you the fire that burns? ⸻ [JOHN THE BAPTIST – intense, sharp delivery] You brood of vipers, dressed up clean But your pride’s too loud, and your roots ain’t green You quote the law, but forget the weight Justice, mercy—y’all hesitate You say “We’re sons of Abraham’s line!” But God can raise stones to speak just fine Don’t think your titles buy you grace God sees your fruit, not just your face ⸻ [ENSEMBLE – rhythmic echo, call and response style] Make straight the way! (Clear the path!) Drop the mask! (Cut the wrath!) Kingdom’s near! (He’s almost here!) Change your heart! (Time to start!) ⸻ [JOHN THE BAPTIST – lower tone, more reverent but still fierce] He’s already walkin’, sandals tight I’m not worthy to untie ‘em right He’ll baptize with Spirit, fire, and truth I’m just the whisper—he’s the proof A winnowing fork in his holy hand To clear the threshing floor, cleanse the land The chaff will burn, the wheat will stay So wake up, world—make straight the way ⸻ [ENSEMBLE – building layers, chant style] Make straight the way Clear every stone Prepare the ground He comes alone Not in gold Not with sword But with a word That shakes the world ⸻ [NARRATOR – beat softens, spoken] And the people came from every land To the water, to the fire, to the prophet’s stand But John kept pointing past the crowd To the footsteps coming—quiet but loud.
