(Verse 1 - Slightly downtuned acoustic guitar intro with a simple, thumping E-string bass pulse begins. Vocals are clear, narrative, and slightly melodic, reminiscent of an Irish folk singer) Used to count the cars I owned, the clothes upon my back Used to build a wall of good, afraid of what I lacked A quiet fear of fading out, of having less to show Thought I had to grip the now, to stop the river's flow I held the present far too tight, a lesson I had missed Why hold onto what will fade, when the best is on the list? (Chorus - Drums kick in, ragged and a bit off-kilter. The guitar becomes a little more distorted, still simple chords. Bass is driving, E-string prominent and deep. Vocals gain a bit of passion and lift, but remain grounded in the melody.) Oh, the doctrine of the world, it tried to make me blind Said 'make a life about yourself, the ultimate design' But the more I chased the gold, the emptier I became Now I'm learning how to let go, just a whisper of a name 'Don't cling to what the earth has spun, it holds no lasting worth' There's a better life a-waiting, far above this dirt. (Verse 2 - Drums drop back to a more restrained beat. Guitar becomes cleaner. The bass keeps the pulse steady and upfront. Vocals return to a thoughtful, storytelling quality.) My purpose was a misty road, I walked alone in sin The darkness was a presence there, I didn't know within I asked to have the curtains pulled, the drapes removed from sight To let the Father's mighty breath consume the evil night He didn't leave me to that fate, a drunkard or a swindler He broke the darkness that was deep, and shone a light to kindler. (Chorus - Full band sound again, ragged drums hitting hard, bass thumping a simple, heavy line. Vocals are full and emotive.) Oh, the doctrine of the world, it tried to make me blind Said 'make a life about yourself, the ultimate design' But the more I chased the gold, the emptier I became Now I'm learning how to let go, just a whisper of a name 'Don't cling to what the earth has spun, it holds no lasting worth' There's a better life a-waiting, far above this dirt. (Bridge - Music pares down to just the thumping bass and a very sparse, slightly reverbed guitar strum. Vocals are softer, almost spoken-word, with a slight lyrical roll on the consonants.) It's part of the test, by the way, they said Will you trade the good for the best in your head? Will you allow the lust of money to stray? To simply trust Him to provide for you today? Hold onto them loosely, son, don't hold them so tight They'll rob the life from you, and steal your light. (Outro - The full, indie pop-rock sound swells for a few bars, focusing on the simple, driving rhythm section. Guitar riff is slightly messy and brief. Vocals repeat the core message, fading out with a final, a cappella line.) Why settle for good when you can have the best? Why settle for good when you can have the best? Let it go. Let it go.

A Better Life