INTRO – “WAKE US, LORD” (UNCHANGED STRUCTURE, BETTER HANDOFF)
0:00–0:25
Native drums + chant ONLY
(No lead vocal — this is sacred space)
Chant remains exactly as written ✔️
0:25–0:55
Guitar enters (Eddie-style threat build)
Chant shortened, hypnotic ✔️
0:55 – FINAL CHANT HIT
> GROUP (SHOUTED):
“Gii-gikendamawishin!”
— DRUM FILL —
— FULL BAND SLAMS IN —
⬇️ LEAD VOCAL ENTERS HERE — HARD, CONTROLLED, COMMANDING
---
VERSE 1 (LEAD VOCAL – TIGHTER FLOW)
(Mid-tempo stomp, space between phrases)
Two minutes to midnight, feel the blade above our heads
Blind in the dark now, fed on lies they’ve always said
Like cattle to the slaughter, we march in single file
They sell us “freedom,” call it choice
While tightening the trial
(Last line held slightly longer to cue next section)
---
PRE-CHORUS (NEW – BUILDS URGENCY)
(Rhythm opens up, drums lift)
Every warning ignored
Every truth denied
If we wait any longer
We’re already on the wrong side
(Half-beat pause)
---
CHORUS (LEAD VOCAL – ANTHEMIC, DISTURBED-STYLE)
War is coming — targets on our backs
No more time to hesitate, no trail left to track
War is on us — stand up, fight tonight
Step out of the shadows, break the chains
That keep us from God’s light
(Last word “light” sustained, harmony optional)
---
VERSE 2 (LEAD VOCAL – MORE DECLARATIVE)
Open your eyes now, truth is standing in the room
Trumpets in the distance, prophecy in full bloom
Calling for an army greater than we’ve ever known
Hearts forged like Archangels
Faith carved into bone
They tremble when we move
Hear the lion when we roar
---
PRE-CHORUS (REPEAT – MORE AGGRESSIVE)
Every lie exposed
Every veil torn wide
This is more than survival
This is heaven’s side
---
CHORUS (REPEAT – FULL POWER)
War is coming — targets on our backs
No more time to hesitate, no trail left to track
War is on us — stand up, fight tonight
Step out of the shadows, break the chains
That keep us from God’s light
---
FINAL VERSE (HALF-TIME → MASSIVE BUILD)
(Lower register, almost spoken → rising)
This war is upon us — it’s die or rise
Salvation’s close enough to touch
More blood, more fire than the ages combined
But the Word is more than enough
God’s truth is the weapon
Its aim never bends
When the smoke clears, the darkness breaks
Only truth remains
---
OUTRO – CHANT RETURNS (NO LEAD VOCAL)
(This contrast makes the ending hit harder)
Drums: relentless
Guitar: fully unleashed Eddie-style chaos
CHANT (GROUP ONLY):
> “Gi-giizhiitaa! Gi-giizhiitaa!”
“Gii-gikendamawishin, Gichi-Manidoo!”
FINAL HIT → FEEDBACK → DRUM STOP
