We Live to Die

[Intro] (Distorted, "dirty" harmonica solo) (Heavy vinyl hiss and pop) (Vocal: Raspy, low) Ayé... The mud is deep today... [Verse 1] [Vocal: Distorted 1940s radio style, raspy] [Instrumental: Thumping Bajo bassline starts] I’m standing in the muck of this temporary town Trading my silver just to keep from falling down The world is a market, and the price is getting high I’m selling my shadows just to buy a piece of sky I was a master of the color, I was a trainer of the soul But the marketplace is hungry and it’s taking its toll. [Pre-Chorus] [Trombone begins to growl and slide] The wind is a-howling through the Epic night I’m looking for the exit, I’m looking for the light Ikú kì í ṣ'òpin... (Death is not the end) The road is just beginning where the river starts to bend. [Chorus] [Drop: Heavy Deep House Kick + Overdriven Harmonica Hook] Ayé l’ọjà, ọ̀run n'ilé! (The world is a market!) A n gbé láti kú, a n kú láti rìn! [Trombone "stabs" on the off-beat] It’s a dirty trade, in a dirty place But I’m leaving with the glory and a little bit of grace! (Ayé l’ọjà!) [Bridge] [Music strips to just the Bajo and a raw, wooden shaker] [Vocal: Spoken, very gravelly] I saw your path. I saw the fear you tried to hide. I helped you find the rhythm that was locked deep inside. That was my mission. That was my legacy. Now I’m walking through the mud... finally free. RAFSLAW. Foundational. True. [Peak] [Full energy - Trombone and Harmonica in a "call and response" battle] Ayé l’ọjà! Ọ̀run n'ilé! We live to die! We die to live! (Ìyè ayérayé!) [Outro] [Percussion fades to a slow, muddy blues guitar] Market's closing... Homebound... Just passing through... (Final growling trombone slide down into silence)