[Intro — Horn and bell; female mountain voice] Before your breath became a cloud, the snow was falling through the dark. [Verse 1 — Male climber; pulse enters] Our tent, a scrap above the Col. The cylinders cut into my back. The rope pulled hard across my chest. I followed where you broke the trail. One more step. Then breathe again. The ridge rose up beyond the ridge. [Chorus — Expansive, restrained] Chomolungma, sky spread wide, hold the line; stay by my side. One more step, one breath held true— all the way up, and home with you. [Verse 2 — Groove deepens] The mask hissed softly at my jaw. The frozen rope scraped at my sleeve. You carved a foothold in the slope; I braced beneath you as you climbed. Then you reached back. I took your weight. We moved as one across the ledge. Your shoulder rose above the ridge— and nothing higher waited there. [Chorus — Short return] Chomolungma, sky spread wide, hold the line; stay by my side. [Instrumental ascent — Four bars; peak, then hard cut] [Summit — Exposed voice] And then— nowhere left to climb. You laid the sweets beneath the snow. I held my hand out. You pulled me close. There was so much empty sky. [Coda — Horn resonance, no beat] Hold the line. I’ll hold it too. The mountain does not bow. [One bell. End.]
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