Intro (Soft female humming, layered harmony — airy, distant) Mmmmmmm… Mmmmmmm… Male (low, exhausted): I carried this shit alone too long… Female Choir (whispered harmony): You’re not alone… ⸻ Hook Male (lead): When I laid my pride down In the ashes of my doubt Found an altar in the wreckage Where the silence cried out I was fightin’ every battle Like it all was on me But surrender ain’t weak It’s the only way to breathe Female Choir (layered harmony under “breathe”): Breathe… breathe… breathe… ⸻ Verse 1 (Male) I used to think faith Was somethin’ you perform Hands in the air While you’re drownin’ in a storm Used to think strength Meant never breakin’ down Now I know real power Is kneelin’ on the ground I built my own tower Brick by broken brick Tried to climb to heaven With ambition as a fix But the higher that I went The emptier I felt I was crowned by the world But bankrupt in myself I was sayin’ “I’m good” While I’m dyin’ inside Actin’ fearless as hell But terrified at night ⸻ Hook (Bigger) Male: When I laid my pride down In the ashes of my doubt Found an altar in the wreckage Where the silence cried out I was fightin’ every battle Like it all was on me But surrender ain’t weak It’s the only way to breathe Female Choir (stronger, fuller): Breathe… breathe… breathe… Lay it down… lay it down… ⸻ Verse 2 (Male – more broken) I don’t talk religion I talk redemption I talk scars turnin’ sacred When you pay attention I done cursed at the sky Like “Where the fuck You at?” Then felt peace in my chest Like He answered that I carried expectation Like it was my cross Never understood grace Could live inside loss Sometimes faith ain’t pretty Sometimes it’s ugly tears Sometimes it’s sayin’ “God I’m scared as hell in here” ⸻ Bridge (Female Lead Takes Over) Female Lead (solo, powerful, gospel tone): You are not forsaken You are not alone Lay it at the altar Let the burden go Female Choir builds behind her. Male (soft underneath): I don’t need a throne If I got peace inside I don’t need applause If I got Him as my guide ⸻ Final Hook (Full Cinematic Moment) Male (strong but surrendered): When I laid my pride down In the ashes of my doubt Found an altar in the wreckage Where the silence cried out I was fightin’ every battle Like it all was on me But surrender ain’t weak It’s the only way to breathe Female Choir (big harmony, layered): Breathe… breathe… breathe… You’re not alone… Lay it down… Let it go… ⸻ Outro (Choir hum fades slowly.) Male (whisper): I ain’t carryin’ it alone no more…

Alter In The Ashes