[Intro — distant piano, low pulse, breath close to microphone] I remember the river. Not the shore. Not your hands. Just the river. [Verse 1] There was silver in the darkness, There were voices in the deep, Something calling me by names I don't remember how to keep. Then your prayer became a doorway, Then the doorway became pain, Then I opened up my eyes And heard you say my name again. You were crying like you'd found me. I was trying to believe. [Pre-Chorus] You said, "You're here." I said, "I know." But something stayed where dead things go. [Chorus] So bring me back, but don't bring me back wrong. Don't stitch a stranger into everything I've lost. If I cross that black horizon and you pull me through the dawn, Hold me close enough to know me. Bring me back. Don't bring me back wrong. [Verse 2] Second time, I saw a garden Growing underneath the stars. Someone there had built a fire From the memory of my scars. I could hear you from a distance Speaking words I used to trust, While a god I couldn't look at Asked me why I feared the dust. I said, "Someone needs me." It said, "Do they need you— or the shape you used to be?" [Chorus] So bring me back, but don't bring me back wrong. Don't stitch a stranger into everything I've lost. If I cross that black horizon and you pull me through the dawn, Hold me close enough to know me. Bring me back. Don't bring me back wrong. [Instrumental — strings rise, distorted guitar blooming underneath] [Bridge] How many times can a soul be called home Before home forgets its voice? How many pieces can heaven return Before death starts making the choice? I have died beneath a dragon's fire. I have died beneath a king. I have drowned in poisoned moonlight. I have heard the angels sing. And every time you reach for me, I reach back— but not as far. [Final Chorus — larger, restrained at first] So bring me back, but don't bring me back wrong. If there is less of me returning, tell me what is gone. If my eyes don't hold the same light, if my hands don't feel as warm, Don't lie and say you found me. Don't swear I'm who I was before. [Final Chorus — full band] Bring me back if you can still hear my song. Bring me back if there's enough of me to want. But if death has learned my true name, and I've finally moved beyond— Love me enough to let me go. Don't bring me back wrong. [Outro — piano, almost whispered] I remember the river. Now— I remember the shore. [End]
