[Intro] Sun slips low; lock the door, check the latch When the last bus leaves, the night draws its match [Verse 1] After dark, every corner got a second face Footsteps pace yours, then vanish without a trace Storefront shutters rattle; somebody counts your stride Keep your head up, keep your people close beside A wrong turn, a cold stare, a hand near a coat One bad choice and the whole block holds its note Don't flash what you carry, don't trust every grin Know when to walk away; that's how you win [Pre-Chorus] Past the final porch light, the tree line waits A narrow path can close like a set of gates If you can't read the danger, don't test your luck Turn back while you still have the choice to turn up [Chorus] When the dark comes out, keep your feet on the ground Eyes in the brush and a hush all around Don't go alone where the black pines lean Some things have teeth; some you've never seen Hold your nerve, know your way, don't pretend you're tough If you step out at night, be ready enough When the dark comes out, let your judgment lead The brave get home by knowing when to leave [Verse 2] Down by the bridge, a pale shape stands still No face in the rain, just a grin on the hill Old folks say a ghost keeps count of the lost A monster don't care what your courage has cost The street's got its wolves in a clean-cut disguise The woods got their watchers with animal eyes You hear one twig snap, then another answers back Don't run blind deeper; take the known track [Pre-Chorus] Past the final porch light, the tree line waits A narrow path can close like a set of gates If you can't read the danger, don't test your luck Turn back while you still have the choice to turn up [Chorus] When the dark comes out, keep your feet on the ground Eyes in the brush and a hush all around Don't go alone where the black pines lean Some things have teeth; some you've never seen Hold your nerve, know your way, don't pretend you're tough If you step out at night, be ready enough When the dark comes out, let your judgment lead The brave get home by knowing when to leave [Bridge] Call your friend. Name your route. Keep your phone charged. Stay where the windows shine; don't wander too far. No shame in a U-turn, no prize for the risk. The safest hard move is to know what to skip. [Final Chorus] When the dark comes out, keep your feet on the ground Eyes in the brush and a hush all around Don't go alone where the black pines lean Some things have teeth; some you've never seen Hold your nerve, know your way, don't pretend you're tough If you step out at night, be ready enough When the dark comes out, let your judgment lead The brave get home by knowing when to leave [Outro] Morning finds the road, morning finds the trail Make it back in one piece; that's the story to tell
