A Lesson Learned

[Verse 1] Smoke and metal on the air, a thousand tongues collide, The curved-street towers leaning in, a city turned on side. Eye-stalk glare and clicking jaws, a crowd that doesn’t care, Echo pulls his cloak in tight and fights to catch his breath. [Pre-Chorus] Pieces of a greater plan, too many doors to know, Needs a map to mark the way – which path is he to go? [Chorus - HEAVY ] A lesson learned – the Cage don’t care, Watch your tongue and guard your stare. Every deal’s a sharpened smile, Every truth a practised guile. A lesson learned – keep words few, The less they know, the more you do. [Verse 2] Crowds press close with shifting tongues, the smell of brass and spice, Voices trade in names and lies, each word a roll of dice. Through fevered air a banner sways – “Maps for Sale” half-torn and gray, He buys the lie, the parchment shakes, and bleeds its truth away. [Pre-Chorus] You're new here, boy – that smell don't lie, The Cage can taste your fear. Keep your mouth shut, purse held tight, And keep your exits near. [Chorus heavy] A lesson learned – nothing’s free, Even trust has currency. Measure men by what they sell, Every bargain rings a bell. A lesson learned – the cost is dear, Hesitate – they smell your fear. [Instrumental break – melodic twin guitars, no noodling, no shredding, no scales] [Verse 3] Lantern smoke and whispers coil, the alleys twist like veins, Boot-heels drum on cobbled stone beneath the lamplight’s stain. The map burns cold against his palm, its sigils start to climb, He needs four walls, a lock, a light – a place to buy him time. [Final Chorus – heavy, fast] A lesson learned – the market lies, Every whisper sells or spies. Eyes like coins, they weigh your name, Fold your hope and play the game. Murder walks in open trade, Promises and debts both fade. A lesson learned – find your line, One door left to guard your mind. Welcome to the Cage.