[Intro: melodic fretless bass, rolling toms] [Verse 1: conversational syncopation] You needed help across a river I had timber, rope, and time I could build a little crossing And put a price on every stride But I remember when I struggled And somebody pulled me through Never handed me an invoice Just said, "Someday help someone too" [Pre-Chorus: rising guitar harmonies] I don't want to own the road Just because I helped you go [Chorus: soaring stacked vocals] I'll build a bridge without a toll Let the people come and go You don't owe me your devotion You don't owe me what you know If the world is full of rivers We can make the crossing free And the kindness that I give you Doesn't have to come back to me [Break: slap bass, 7/8 guitar counterpoint] [Verse 2: warm melodic baritone] I gave a friend a ride to work And turned down what they tried to pay I needed nothing from the moment Except to help them on their way [Bridge: half-time, tender] Generosity grows smaller When we turn it into debt [Final Chorus: epic major lift] I'll build a bridge without a toll And leave it standing when I'm gone Let another soul cross over And keep the kindness moving on [Outro: harmonized guitar sustain]
