Sinner Than Saints

(The song opens with a muted, rhythmic acoustic guitar strumming a low E-chord. After the second "I know," a softly brushed snare drum enters, keeping a slow, heartbeat-like tempo.)

I know

I know

I know

I’m a bit more sinner than saint these days

I’ll sip my trouble from a paper cup

But I still bow my head

Still say grace

(A hollow-body electric guitar enters with a clean, reverb-heavy tone, playing single, ringing notes) Should call my mother

Let it ring once

But it’s way too late where she stays

And she’d be worried if she knew

What I’m doing with these days

(The band kicks in fully, but stays "behind" the vocals. A deep, thumping kick drum lands on every beat. A Hammond B3 organ swells in the background, providing a warm, church-like texture.)

I’m a little too honest in the dark

Little too quiet in the light

Got a crooked little halo

Hanging on by Sunday night

(Add a whining pedal steel guitar that mimics a sigh)

If she heard the way I’m living

Heard the names that know my room

She’d be praying through the morning

If my mother ever knew

(The energy drops slightly. The bass guitar becomes more melodic, walking through the chords. The high-hat on the drums starts to "tick" like a clock.)

Same bar

Same torn leather stool

Bartender knows my middle name

I make confessions to a stranger

Trade my stories for a flame

Saving voicemails I don’t answer

Scrolling right past home for you

All these half-forgotten blessings

I keep wasting in this view

(Full band intensity—the snare drum gets a sharp "crack" to it now. The organ becomes more prominent, filling the room.)

I’m a little too honest in the dark

Little too quiet in the light

Got a crooked little halo

Hanging on by Sunday night

If she heard the way I’m living

Heard the names that know my room

She’d be praying through the morning

If my mother ever knew

(The drums drop out completely for the first two lines, leaving just the acoustic guitar and a low, humming cello. On the third line, the cymbals crash and the whole band builds a wall of sound.)

One day I’ll call before the evening

Tell her I’m trying to come back soon

But tonight I’m talking to the ceiling

Like it’s got a line to you

(Maximum volume. This is the "confessional" peak of the song. The electric guitar plays heavy, ringing power chords.)

I’m a little too honest in the dark

Little too quiet in the light

Got a crooked little halo

Hanging on by Sunday night

If she heard the way I’m living

Heard the names that know my room

She’d be praying through the morning

If my mother ever knew

Outro

(The band falls away instantly. The organ holds a final, fading chord. Only a lone, finger-picked acoustic guitar remains.)

Yeah, if my mother ever knew...

If she knew...

I’d tell her I’m okay

But I’ve never been a very good liar

I just keep the porch light on

And the halo in the fire.

(The guitar stops. Total silence for the spoken words.)

(Spoken or whispered)

I’ll call her tomorrow.

I promise.