Soul Preacher Blues (Original / Inspired by Son House)

[Intro – instrumental] [Verse 1] [Lead: male bari-tenor, gritty Southern/Delta edge; intimate, weathered storytelling.] I woke this morning with the devil on my trail A preacher's voice inside me said, "You gonna tell your tale" Moon hanging heavy, shadows creeping low There's a fire in my belly that just won't let me go I've walked through the valley where the lost ones hide Carried my mistakes like a stone inside Every road I took left a mark on my shoes Every wound I carry taught me something about the blues [Rap 1] [Low, measured Southern delivery; rhythmic but reflective.] Gravel underfoot, soul on the run City lights flicker, but I see no sun Voices whisper truth and lies at once Heart's a battleground, every scar weighs a ton I hear that old voice when the night gets cold Telling me the truth that I don't wanna hold You can run from the preacher, you can run from the past But the song in your chest keeps calling you back [Verse 2] [Lead: stronger conviction, with restrained grit.] Old folks say the preacher's got no rest But I feel that whisper pounding in my chest I walk that crooked line where saints don't tread And sing these heavy words the blues have bled I've seen good people stumble, seen bad people rise Seen mercy in the darkness and truth behind lies Maybe faith ain't a church or a book on a shelf Maybe it's finding the courage to face yourself [Rap 2] [Low, urgent cadence; gradually building.] Hear the thunder rolling somewhere in the distance Every heartbreak left a permanent inscription Still I keep walking, no matter the cost A song ain't dead just because the singer's lost I've been down that road where the cold wind blows Carrying old sins that nobody knows But the fire keeps burning, and I know why You don't find redemption by refusing to try [Chorus / Climax] [Lead: full soulful delivery; preacher's fire without high belting.] Soul preacher blues, ringing in my bones Every road I walk feels like a thunderstorm From the mountain holler to the river bend I'm preaching this fire till the end Soul preacher blues, won't let me hide There's a restless voice burning deep inside If I've got one truth left to give to you I'll give it through the blood and the blues [Harmony: restrained lower harmony on “ringing in my bones” and “till the end.”] [Call-and-response: lead sings “Soul preacher blues” / low harmony answers “preach it through.”] [Instrumental Break] [Fiddle: raw, mournful lead.] [Dobro: gritty answering slides.] [Muted trumpet: distant cinematic swell.] [Mandolin: tight la pompe beneath the solo.] [Outro] [Lead: quieter, reflective; grit softening into acceptance.] The night gets quiet, but the fire stays I've got old scars and a thousand mistakes I don't claim to know what tomorrow will bring But I've still got a voice, and I've still got a song to sing So if you hear me calling when the road gets rough I'm not saying it's easy, I'm saying don't give up The preacher in my soul ain't finished yet There's still some truth in these old regrets [Lead: whispered, fading.] Preach it, soul... Preach it through... [Dobro: final descending slide.] [Pad: fades into silence.]