La Escuela del Sol" (The School of the Sun)

(The sound of a heavy iron chain dragging across stone. A low, distorted electric guitar with deep tremolo plays a dark, two-note riff: BUM-vroom, BUM-vroom. A whip cracks in the distance.)

(Spoken with a deep, sandpaper voice):

"I’ve lived a lot of lives... but none of 'em taught me how to be your man. Class is in session."

(A steady, "galloping" drum beat starts—thump, th-thump, thump)

Good morning, pretty baby, I’ve been sitting with the ghosts,

Thinking 'bout the lessons on these sun-bleached coasts.

I’ve been looking in the mirror at the man I used to be,

But to get us to that border... I need a new degree.

I had a prideful heart, baby—at least I did back then,

But I’m trading in my honors to be a student once again.

I’m a lifelong apprentice, that’s the vow I’m making now,

Show me how to love you, honey—show this outlaw how.

(The orchestra swells. A lonely, high-pitched trumpet plays a mournful "Deguello" melody. Crashing cymbals!)

You’re the Master of this desert, the Captain of my soul,

I’m burying my ego just to let you take control.

I’m coachable and willing, put my heart upon the sand,

'Cause your truth—no matter how heavy—makes me a better man.

(The music drops to a tense, pulsing bass line. A wooden "clave" sounds like a hammer on a nail.)

Don’t give me no easy answers, don’t you candy-coat the pill,

If the truth is bitter medicine, I’m gonna drink my fill.

I don’t want no shortcuts, I don’t want no easy ride,

I’m ready for the mountain, with nothing left to hide.

(A lonely Spanish guitar plucks a dark, ascending melody. The sound of a wind chime made of shell casings.)

There’s a staircase right before us, reaching way up in the sky,

No elevator’s coming, and you know the reason why.

Real love is built in stages, one hard step at a time,

But as long as I am learning... I don't mind the uphill climb.

(The "Twangy" electric guitar returns. The whistling melody from the intro fades in.)

Yeah... I’m grateful for the sermon.

I’m grateful for the light.

Just keep on teaching me, baby...

Until I get it right.

(Final Guitar Sting: A sharp, high-note vibrato that echoes like it’s bouncing off canyon walls)