[Intro] (Ambient synthesizer and organ chords swell, establishing the solemn key of E minor. A clean electric guitar weaves in, playing a sweet, soulful melodic motif. Suddenly, the full band drops in together: a crisp drum rim-shot snaps into a steady 120 BPM one-drop rhythm, a heavy, melodic reggae bassline rolls underneath, and the electric guitars start to chop sharp "skank" chords on the offbeat while the keyboards lay down a rhythmic "bubble" groove. The four-chord loop begins: Em – Bm – C – D) [Verse 1] (Lead Vocal enters, soulful and heavy-hearted) Em Bm You got me wondering why, praying to God you're alive C D You say you want a change, but it’s the same old alibi Em Bm 'bout a "thug's life" out here running the streets C D But you got a beautiful wife and two babies at home you gotta feed Em Bm Yeah, you’re chasing shadows, leaving them in the dark C D Playing a dangerous game that’s tearing your circle apart [Chorus] (Lead Vocal rises in passion, backed by rich, swelling three-part band harmonies) Em Bm You gotta wake up, brother, open your eyes! C D Look at the wreckage around you, it’s time you realize Em Bm Before the night gets too dark, before the road hits the end C D We’re trying to save your soul, we’re trying to save a friend (Guitar lead plays a quick, crying reggae riff) [Verse 2] (Rhythm section locks into a deep, driving dub feel; bass guitar takes a prominent lead role) Em Bm It’s a vicious cycle now, the same thing every single day C D You wake up just to get high, smoke your troubles away Em Bm Then you're out drinking all night, ignoring every call C D Leaving all your boys going insane, waiting for you to fall Em Bm Your family is hurting, man, they’re down on their knees C D Crying out to the heavens, begging for a little bit of peace [Chorus] (Full band skank intensifies, keyboard bubble gets brighter) Em Bm You gotta wake up, brother, open your eyes! C D Look at the wreckage around you, it’s time you realize Em Bm Before the night gets too dark, before the road hits the end C D We’re trying to save your soul, we’re trying to save a friend [Bridge] (The drums drop out into a spacious dub echo; spacey echo on the guitar and heavy bass thuds) Em Bm This chaotic path you’re walking, it’s not who you're meant to be C D There’s a higher calling for you, if you’d just let yourself see Em Bm You gotta find that faith again, put your trust in the Man Above C D This isn't out of anger, brother, this is tough, unconditional love (Drum roll builds up rapidly, hitting a massive snare snap) [Guitar Solo] (The electric guitar takes center stage, playing a soaring, Hawaiian roots-style melodic solo over the Em – Bm – C – D progression while the band brings the energy to its peak) [Chorus] (Maximum intensity, emotional lead vocals and soaring backing harmonies) Em Bm You gotta wake up, brother, open your eyes! C D Look at the wreckage around you, it’s time you realize Em Bm Before the night gets too dark, before the road hits the end C D We’re trying to save your soul, we’re trying to save a friend [Outro] (The full reggae rhythm section gradually fades out, leaving just the heavy, pulsing bassline and the keyboard bubble) Em Bm Open up your eyes, man... C D We need you to stay... (The ambient synthesizer and organ chords return, matching the intro. The clean electric guitar plays one final, lingering melodic motif in E minor as the sound echoes into silence)
