The Ballad of Mr. D

[Intro – gentle acoustic guitar strum, soft harmonica hum] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – soft fingerpicked guitar, quiet room ambience] Mr. D kept his desk stacked high with scrap Said he’d build something that’d make the whole class clap Tape and cardboard, no paint to hide the seams Said he’d finish fast, chase a wild dream [Pre-Chorus – subtle bassline joins, harmonica trill] We’d linger after school, press our faces to the door Watch his hands move fast, build something more Than just glue and folds, a spark in his eyes We knew this dragon wasn’t just a disguise [Chorus 1 – full acoustic strum, warm harmonies] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D and his cardboard beast Built with calloused hands and a stubborn feast Of late nights and coffee, no time to rest He’d prove to the world what he could manifest [Interlude – harmonica solo, soft guitar backing] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 2 – slightly faster guitar, faint classroom chatter] He worked through the storm, rain tapping the pane Dragon’s wings stretched wide, tail with a sharpane We counted the days, watched the frame take shape Said he’d ride it soon, escape the mundane [Pre-Chorus 2 – building guitar strums, harmonica swells] The bell rang too late, we heard the crash from down the hall Rushed to the room, saw the pieces fall No sign of Mr. D, just the dragon bent and torn We froze in the doorway, hearts worn [Chorus 2 – layered vocals, stronger harmonica] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D and his cardboard beast Gone in a second, gone from the east We searched the halls, checked the yard outside No trace of our teacher, no reason why [Bridge – quiet guitar, whispered group vocals] But after the dark, when the moon was bright We swore we saw something cut through the night Wings made of cardboard, tape glinting in the glow Mr. D laughing loud, flying high and slow [Final Chorus – full folk arrangement, triumphant harmonies] Oh, the Ballad of Mr. D and his cardboard beast He didn’t die, he just found his release Riding the wind, where the stars align Our teacher’s still flying, somewhere in the sky [Outro – fading guitar, soft harmonica fade] We still talk about him, when the bell rings late Wonder if he’s still flying, above the state The Ballad of Mr. D, forever sung His dragon’s still soaring, still young