Broken Man

[Intro – gentle fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft reverb] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – quiet guitar, fragile vocal delivery] I trace the cracks in the walls I built Hiding from the ghosts that always spill Every time I let my guard come down I end up lost with no solid ground [Pre-Chorus 1 – faint cello hum, building tension] I flinch at every kind word spoken Afraid the warmth will leave me broken I’ve learned to keep my heart locked tight To keep the dark from winning the fight [Chorus 1 – full acoustic strum, soft string backing] Am I a broken man? Can a broken man love again? No trust in love, from it I run ‘Cause trust’s a thing I’ve never won I think I might be a broken man [Interlude – stripped-back guitar riff, quiet pause] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 2 – slightly louder guitar, more urgent vocals] I watch them laugh, I watch them fall In love like it’s the easiest call I want to reach, I want to try But fear’s a wall I can’t climb high [Pre-Chorus 2 – swelling strings, rising vocal intensity] I’ve got these shards of what used to be A soul that’s scarred beyond repair, maybe I wonder if I’ll ever find A way to leave the past behind [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, full string arrangement] Am I a broken man? Can a broken man love again? I need to know, is this my fate? To carry scars that won’t abate Forever stuck as a broken man [Bridge – minimal guitar, raw, intimate vocals] Are these pieces meant to stay apart? Is there a way to mend my heart? Or am I doomed to walk alone With this empty, aching bone [Solo – weeping violin melody, soft guitar accompaniment] (Instrumental Solo) [Final Chorus – full band, soaring vocals, maximum emotion] Am I a broken man? Can a broken man love again? I’m tired of running, tired of fear I want to feel love’s gentle near Maybe a broken man can love again [Outro – fading guitar, soft string fade-out] Maybe a broken man can love again Maybe this story’s not at its end