The Ballad of Mr. D

[Intro – gentle acoustic guitar strums, faint winter wind sound] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – soft fingerpicked guitar, quiet shaker rhythm] We found him in the shop after school Cardboard and glue, a crazy rule Said he’d build a beast to tame the snow A dragon’s grin where the cold winds blow [Pre-Chorus – subtle fiddle melody, building warmth] He measured twice, cut once with a laugh Said “kids, this ride’s gonna outlast Every test, every textbook line Today we’re gonna touch the sky” [Chorus – full acoustic strum, soaring fiddle, harmonized vocals] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D Riding cardboard wings where the pines run free Snow in his hair, a fire in his eyes That dragon sled took him to the skies [Verse 2 – acoustic guitar with light bass, soft snare tap] We hauled it up the hill at dawn His coat unbuttoned, his boots worn He climbed on top, held the horns so tight Said “watch me fly” and took the light [Pre-Chorus 2 – louder fiddle, steady drum beat] The snow kicked up like a stormy sea Whoops and cheers from you and me He leaned into the wind’s sharp breath Said “this is how you beat death” [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, full fiddle arrangement, light piano accents] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D Riding cardboard wings where the pines run free Snow in his hair, a fire in his eyes That dragon sled took him to the skies [Bridge – sparse guitar, quiet fiddle hum, whispered backing vocals] He never slowed, never looked back Just a shadow against the pale sky’s black The sled hit a drift, then he was gone But we still hear his song [Chorus 3 – full band, maximum emotion, harmonized chorus] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D Riding cardboard wings where the pines run free Snow in his hair, a fire in his eyes That dragon sled took him to the skies [Outro – fading guitar, soft fiddle fade, distant wind sound] We left the sled there on the hill A dragon’s ghost where the cold winds chill