MARK

[Intro] [Distorted guitar hum, palm-muted chugs] [Spoken, close mic] Cold night… Just me… And this family tree… [Feedback bends, tom roll] [Chorus] [Hook chant, half-sung half-shouted] BABE... I miss the way you found me, Back when I was young and wild, Now every time your name comes up, It drags me back through the wreck and the dust, Oooooooh BABE... I miss the way you knew me, You saw through the fears I’d hide, I’d trade every slammed door, every fight… mmmm For peace in this house tonight, [Verse 1] [Confessional rap, tight over chugs] Mama’s picture on the fridge door, Cracked frame from the last shout. You were standing in the driveway, Saying, "Girl, you gotta get out." Everybody says blood heals, But ours just runs with blame. Some nights I hear y’all still in the hallway, Like nothin’ ever changed. [Pre-Chorus] [Spoken, building intensity] You said, "Pick a side, or you’ll lose us both," I was just a kid caught under that oath. Now I’m grown, but the echoes stay, And I still hear you say… [Chorus] [Full band, chant response] BABE! I miss the way you found me! Back when I was young and wild! Now every time your name comes up, It drags me back through the wreck and the dust, Aaaaaaah BABE... oooooooh ...I miss the way you knew me, You saw through the fears I’d hide, I’d trade every slammed door, every fight... Mmmmmm For peace in this house tonight! [Breakdown] [Drop to drums and bass, call and response] (Yeah) You were the storm in the kitchen, (Yeah) You were the crack in the wall, (Yeah) I was the kid in the corner, Praying somebody would call. (Yeah) Now I’m the voice on the record, (Yeah) Screaming we all survived, (Yeah) Turn up the pain, let it echo, ’Cause hurt means we’re still alive. [Verse 2] [Rap, heavier guitars slam back in] Thought about you all these years, How we both learned to fight hard. "Family" sounded easy, ’Til it broke in the front yard. If you ever hear this song, Or you’re drivin’ down the east side, Just know there’s a daughter hopin’ We can talk instead of choose sides, [Pre-Chorus] [Spoken, strained but steady] I don’t want a perfect past, I just want a future that lasts. We can’t rewrite every scar and bruise, But maybe we can choose… [Final Chorus] [Screaming vocals, crowd chant harmonies] BABE! I MISS THE WAY YOU FOUND ME! Back when I was young and wild! Now every time your name comes up… mmmm It drags me back through the wreck and the dust… Aaaaaaah BABE... I MISS THE WAY YOU KNEW ME! Like you saw through every fear I’d hide! I’d trade every slammed door, every fight... Mmmmmm... FOR PEACE IN THIS HOUSE TONIGHT! [Outro] [Clean guitar with tape delay, whispered rap] Some wounds fade into the dark, Some stay written on the wall… Mmmmm Babe, you left a permanent mark. [Ring-out feedback, distant tom hits] [End]