[Intro — low church organ; close, sorrowful female voice] They say the walls are singing. They don’t know it’s me. [Verse 1 — intimate; isolated hammer strikes] I count the years in candle smoke, In winters through the stone. They come in pairs to kneel and pray; They never leave alone. I hear them praise the arches, The gold above the nave. They speak your name with gratitude— And never call this a grave. [Pre-Chorus — cello rises beneath the voice] When someone leans against the wall, I lean toward them, too. For one small breath, I let myself Imagine that it’s you. [Chorus — crushing gothic doom; aching melodic lift] You built a house for heaven With your wife inside the wall. They come to ask for mercy— Did you hear me when I called? They praise the hands that raised it, The beauty of the stone. You gave the saints a place to live And left me here alone. [Verse 2 — restrained; a fragile memory] I brought your bread wrapped in a cloth, Still warm against my side. You couldn’t meet my eyes that day; I thought you’d worked all night. You said, “Stand here a moment, love.” I laughed and did as told. I thought the first stone was a game. I watched the daylight fold. [Pre-Chorus — heavier bass; slow percussion] The last thing I could see of you Was dust upon your sleeve. I called the name I’d said in love— You would not look at me. [Chorus — fuller strings; immense, slow guitars] You built a house for heaven With your wife inside the wall. They come to ask for mercy— Did you hear me when I called? They praise the hands that raised it, The beauty of the stone. You gave the saints a place to live And left me here alone. [Bridge — drums stop; exposed voice] Do not call it sacrifice. I never chose to stay. I came to bring you bread and wine. I thought we’d walk away. You could have laid the hammer down And let your towers fall. [Instrumental — six slow hammer strikes; cello climbs; guitars return] [Final Chorus — powerful, sorrowful; voice clearly above the band] You built a house for heaven With your wife inside the wall. They come to ask for mercy— Let them hear me when I call. My name is Ana. Say it. Let it rise above the stone. You gave the saints a place to live— Now let the woman go. [Outro — organ fades; voice remains close] Next time you touch the wall… Remember you are touching me.
