Own the Mountain

[Intro – crackling campfire ambience, distant acoustic guitar picking, low harmonica swell] Softly falls the light of day As the campfire fades away Silently each Scout should ask Have I done my daily task? Have I kept my honor bright? Can I guiltless sleep tonight? Have I kept, and have I dared, Everything to be prepared? (Ambience fades, acoustic rhythm begins) [Verse 1 – steady acoustic strum, warm bass, light kick drum enters] Cedar Badge — that’s where this story starts “Can do! Will do!” sprang from our hearts Two young boys who meant what we said “Have done!” — the road we chose to tread From Co-chair dreams to a mission call We packed our bags — we felt it all Foreign streets and foreign tongues Russian cold and Spanish suns No thought for self, no thought for gain We gave our youth in Jesus’ name If I should die before I wake Lord, have my soul — it’s Yours to take [Pre-Chorus – drums build, electric guitar swell, vocals stronger] We’ve buried pride, we’ve swallowed words We’ve said the hard things when it hurt And when the whole world’s falling in We just load up and head back in [Chorus – full band, driving drums, layered male harmonies, strong downbeat emphasis] Brothers marked by battle wounds From busted dreams and bitter truths Living lives where we don’t bend We won’t let the old man in We own the mountain, rain or snow From where we’ve been to where we’ll go When life comes hard and walls cave in We load it up and head back in (Instrumental push into next verse) [Verse 2 – groove tightens, electric rhythm guitar more present] Rings were bought and babies came Work got heavy, life got names Little shoes by the front door Dreamin’ bigger than before Mortgage notes and midnight cries Friday lights and tired eyes Sunday faith and weekday grind Tryin’ hard to hold the line Waiting rooms and courthouse steps All those nights we never slept Some dreams lived and some gave way We kept showin’ up each day [Pre-Chorus – slightly bigger than first, stronger vocal grit] We’ve buried pride, we’ve swallowed words We’ve said the hard things when it hurt And when the whole world’s falling in We just load up and head back in [Chorus – fuller harmonies, electric guitar accents] Brothers marked by battle wounds From busted dreams and bitter truths Living lives where we don’t bend We won’t let the old man in We own the mountain, rain or snow From where we’ve been to where we’ll go When life comes hard and walls cave in We load it up and head back in [Verse 3 – drums slightly pulled back, more space, reflective tone] Now the sun sits lower in the sky Gray in the beard but fire inside Some kids married, some still home Some take flight and some still roam They’re standin’ where the road divides Chasin’ hope and testin’ pride We hope they climb the way we did And never once decide to quit We know how fast the daylight fades How easy pride and hope can sway So while there’s breath left in our chest We’ll stay close by and give our best [Bridge – stripped back: acoustic + low piano, minimal drums, intimate vocal] We’re blessed to have strong-hearted wives Who steady us through changing lives We hold them close when nights are long And fight for homes that will stay strong We know more change is on its way More hills to climb, more price to pay When strength runs thin and daylight ends We’ll still be standin’ here, my friend (Pause — light instrumental swell builds) [Final Chorus – biggest arrangement, layered harmonies, electric lead fills] Brothers marked by battle wounds From busted dreams and bitter truths Living lives where we don’t bend We won’t let the old man in We own the mountain, rain or snow From where we’ve been to where we’ll go When life comes hard and walls cave in We load it up and head back in (Repeat last two lines with emphasis) We load it up and head back in We load it up and head back in [Spoken Outro – light wind ambience, distant acoustic string resonance] Male voice 1 (half grin): “That mountain’s been mockin’ us all day.” Male voice 2 (chuckles softly): “Yeah.” Male voice 2: “Let’s go show it who’s boss.” (Silence)