[Verse 1] In a crooked shop on a cobbled lane, An old man carved through loss and pain, From ash and oak, from hope and scars, He shaped a lad to chase the stars. No breath to warm, no blood to race, Yet restless light burned in his face, He heard the road outside the door, And longed for life and something more. [Pre-Chorus] But every heart that runs too fast, Must learn which things are built to last. [Chorus] Hey-ho, strings of fire! Run through lies and climb up higher! When your nose points to the sky, Your heart already knows the lie. Hey-ho, stand again! Storms will break but not the brave. Through the dark, through ash and scars, Wood can learn to carry stars. [Verse 2] The market roared with painted gold, With silver tongues both slick and cold, A fox cried, “Come, the world is wide!” A cat walked softly by his side. They sold him dreams in velvet words, Like cages dressed as singing birds, He danced where easy promises gleam, And nearly drowned inside the dream. [Pre-Chorus] For every tune that flatters pride, May hide the chains it keeps inside. [Chorus] Hey-ho, strings of fire! Run through lies and climb up higher! When your nose points to the sky, Your heart already knows the lie. Hey-ho, stand again! Storms will break but not the brave. Through the dark, through ash and scars, Wood can learn to carry stars. [Bridge – mystical] A blue light shone through rain and foam, It whispered low, “The truth leads home.” “Falling down is no disgrace, If wisdom rises in its place.”* [Verse 3] Then came the sea with iron jaws, It swallowed him without a pause, Inside the beast, in pitch-black night, He found the one who gave him light. For once he thought of none but him, Though hope was faint and waters grim, He bore his father through the tide, And left the selfish child behind. [Final Chorus – anthemic] Hey-ho, strings of fire! Run through lies and climb up higher! When your nose points to the sky, Pain can teach the truth of life. Hey-ho, rise anew! Every road can turn you true. Through the dark, through ash and scars, Hearts are made, not born as stars. [Closing Moral Verse] Not those who’re flawless shall endure, But those who fail and still grow sure. For truth needs courage, time and grace, And love makes real the human face.
