[Intro - slow hypnotic, low droning fiddle + distant creaking wood] Whispers in the holler… The mountain's calling… No one leaves alive… [Verse 1 - raw anguished trembling vocal] Fog rolls thick through the hollers deep and black We built our cabins where the old ones turned their back The ridges watched us, hungry, patient, cold Roots like fingers grabbing every soul Mama said "stay close," but the trails would twist and bend One by one the strong ones met their end [Chorus - desperate soaring high-lonesome vocal] No one left the holler alive The mountain takes what it desires Bones and blood and broken pride No one left the holler alive [Verse 2 - trembling verses, ghostly fiddle responses] Pa went hunting on the ridge at break of day Never came back, just his rifle in the clay Sister heard the singing from the old stone well Followed down and joined the ones who fell The wind it moans our names in minor keys Trees close in like walls no eye can see [Chorus - soaring + eerie distant harmonies] No one left the holler alive The mountain takes what it desires Screams get swallowed in the landslide No one left the holler alive [Bridge - building tension, aggressive banjo bursts] We tried to run when the ground began to shake Paths turned 'round, led us right back to the lake Shadows moved where no man ought to tread Something ancient woke up in its bed [Breakdown - frantic shouted, fast panicked darkgrass, accelerating] Run boys run! The holler's closing in! Bodies screaming like the devil's laugh! Winds rolling wild, down the mountain's path! No escape, no light, no end! THE MOUNTAIN WANTS US ALL AGAIN! [Final Chorus - savage, wild banjo + shrieking haunted fiddle] No one left the holler alive! The mountain feeds and we provide! Every soul and every cry! NO ONE LEFT THE HOLLER ALIVE! [Outro - slowing, lonely fiddle, creaking wood, fading breath] …no one left… …the holler… …alive…
