Verse 1 The door is closed against the wind, the fire is burning low, Boots are laid beside the wall, the night begins to slow. No stage, no crown, no spoken law, just faces in the light, We come to hear, we come to stay, we come to mark the night. Verse 2 Old stories walk from mouth to ear, news travels hand to hand, Who will go, who will remain, who answers for the land. No single voice commands the room, no silence forced or planned, The truth is shaped in listening by those who understand. Chorus This is how we bind ourselves, not by oath or sign, But by standing in the circle when the time is mine and thine. No words are sworn, yet all is known, no rule is ever said, When we gather, we remember what the living owe the dead. [Instrumental Interlude] (Fiddle and hand drum, slow and steady) Verse 3 A laugh breaks out, a song begins, a rhythm finds the floor, The weight we carried in alone is lighter than before. Each step, each tune, each shared refrain returns what fear had taken, For hearts that move in common time are quietly awakened. Bridge (soft) Not every bond is forged in fire, not every truth is loud, Some are born in simple rooms where no one stands above the crowd. Final Chorus This is how we bind ourselves, by witness, not decree, In the turning of the story and the shared responsibility. When the fire fades and dawn draws near, we leave, but not the same, For the circle holds our promise still, even when we go our way. Outro (Instrumental – voices hum, then fade)
