Title: Gold in the Dust
Rhythm: Mid-tempo Roots Reggae
Vibe: Heavy bassline, "skanking" guitar chords, and warm organ bubbles.
Verse 1
(Vocal Style: Vocal Fry into a smooth lead)
Sitting by the corner, where the concrete meets the sky,
Dust on my sandals, but a sparkle in my eye.
A lady walked past, burdens heavy on her mind,
She didn't see the hole in her pocket, or the jewels she left behind.
I called out "Sister, wait! Your treasure’s on the ground,"
I gave it back with a smile, the purest thing I found.
She looked at my rags, then she looked into my soul,
And felt a warmth of spirit that no silver could ever hold.
Chorus
(Vocal Style: Duet with Choir backing)
(Harmonies: 7. Phrased Unison transitioning to 9. Open Harmony)
Oh, it’s a love from the gutter to the throne,
Kindness is the seed that the righteous have sown.
(Harmonies: 13. Close Harmony)
She found a king beneath the tattered cloth,
A flame of true devotion that would never burn off.
(Harmonies: 10. Unison leading to 14. Belting)
One heart, one aim, one destiny!
From the street to the altar, now we’re living free!
Verse 2
(Vocal Style: 11. Octave Doubling on key phrases)
The world calls her wealthy, with her houses and her gold,
But she says I’m the riches that she finally gets to hold.
We traded the sidewalk for a garden and a home,
No more cold nights, no more walking alone.
It wasn't for the money that I reached out my hand,
But for the love of a brother to a sister in this land.
Now the bells are ringing, and the congregation sings,
Of the beggar and the lady and the joy that kindness brings.
Chorus
(Vocal Style: Duet with Choir backing)
(Harmonies: 8. Homophony into 12. Parallel Doubling)
Oh, it’s a love from the gutter to the throne,
Kindness is the seed that the righteous have sown.
(Harmonies: 13. Close Harmony)
She found a king beneath the tattered cloth,
A flame of true devotion that would never burn off.
(Harmonies: 10. Unison leading to 14. Belting)
One heart, one aim, one destiny!
From the street to the altar, now we’re living free!
Production Notes
The Choir: Use the choir during the "Belting" sections to create a "Wall of Sound" effect, emphasizing the triumph of the marriage.
The Duet: The male (beggar) and female (rich woman) voices should start in 7. Phrased Unison (singing the same rhythm/words) to show they are of "one mind" before branching into 9. Open Harmony.
