[Intro: Soulful acoustic guitar melody, melancholic cello in the background] [Verse 1: Soft vulnerable vocals, intimate and slow] I can't remember why it's dark A fading flame, a dying spark The Sandman whispered in my ear "There's nothing left for you to fear" But I am trapped inside this shell A silent room, a private hell. [Verse 2: Add slow heavy drums and bass, increasing emotion] My limbs are tied to sheets of lead I cannot wake, I am not dead The grains of glass begin to sting I cannot hear the birds that sing The mirror's gone, the walls are cold The Sandman laughs at what he's sold... [Pre-Chorus: Distorted guitar swells, building intensity] He takes my hand, I cannot feel The nightmare is the only real! [Chorus: Anthemic, powerful and soaring vocals] Out of the shadows! (Help me!) Breaking the chains! (Save me!) I’m reaching out for one more breath Before I'm swallowed by this death! (Ooh-oh) [Bridge: Slow, heavy and very dramatic] THE SANDMAN’S VOID! IN THE BLAZE! BURNING SOUL! LOST IN THE MAZE! [Crescendo: Orchestral strings building up] NO!!! I’M COMING BACK TO LIFE!!! [Guitar Solo: Long, soaring melodic solo, emotional bends, bluesy metal feeling] [Chorus: Final powerful reprise with epic backing vocals] Out of the shadows! Breaking the chains! I’m reaching out for one more breath Before I'm swallowed by this death! [Outro: Return to acoustic guitar, fading voice with reverb] Back to life... Goodbye Sandman... I'm coming home. [End: Final acoustic chord ringing out into silence]
