[Intro: slow low-tuned guitar riff, funeral organ; four bars, cymbals swell into a heavy 6/8 pulse] [Verse 1: solemn clean baritone, sparse bass; leave space between phrases] They laid us naked on the grate, Eight brothers underneath one moon. The children wore their borrowed faces. The grown-ups said we’d all be ready soon. Above the coals, our bodies shone. I prayed the hand would pass me on. [Pre-Chorus: organ rises; drums enter like a slow procession] My brother split. They called him done. The silver fingers Chose another one. [Chorus: enormous sustained chords; melodic vocal rises over the dragging riff] Is this the last turn? Have I been good? I’ve kept as still As something burning could. You promised everybody would get fed. I thought you meant us When you said. [Verse 2: riff returns with descending bass; vocal grows urgent] The lid came down. We called it night. It rose. We praised the sudden light. A drop of fat fell through the bars; The flame reached up to kiss our sides. We wore the stripes. We thought them signs. I tried to make a blessing of mine. [Instrumental: eight bars; mournful guitar solo over funeral organ, slow bends and sustained notes] [Bridge: guitars fall silent; exposed baritone and low organ] Beyond the bars, a paper plate. A child dressed as a skeleton. He points at me. He wants the little one Without the black bits on. [Final Chorus: full band, heavier drums; restrained choral harmonies] Is this the last turn? Have I been good? I’ve kept as still As something burning could. You promised everybody would get fed. I thought you meant us When you said. [Final Refrain: drums stop; voice hangs over one sustained chord] You bow your heads. You say your grace. I finally understand My place. [Outro: instrumental only; opening riff returns twice, organ sustains beneath the final guitar chord]
