So Gather Round, Lost Ones

INTRO
(Lonesome pedal steel swell, slow fingerpicked acoustic guitar in G major, distant weeping fiddle)
​[VERSE 1]
Out past the pine trees where the gravel road ends,
Cold winter wind blowin’ round the creek bend.
An old tin-roof chapel with a light burnin’ bright,
Pulling stray souls from the deep Texas night.
Hard-working hands bow their heads in the pew,
Looking for hope like the morning time dew.
​[CHORUS]
(Pedal steel swells high, subtle bass enters with slow waltz drum kick)
So gather round, lost ones, wherever you roam,
There’s a spark in the piney woods calling you home.
He was born in a barn just as humble and low,
To shine down a light where the dark rivers flow.
Oh, come to the mercy, come take up the grace,
Right here in the pine trees, in this sacred place.
​[VERSE 2]
(Acoustic guitar driven, deep gravelly baritone with gentle fiddle counter-melody)
There’s no velvet robes and no silver or gold,
Just the greatest redemptive tale ever told.
A savior for sinners, the broken and worn,
In the quiet of midnight the King has been born.
He knows every burden, every scar on your chest,
Lay down your troubles and enter His rest.
​[CHORUS]
(Full ensemble swell, emotional vocal delivery, fiddle crying in background)
So gather round, lost ones, wherever you roam,
There’s a spark in the piney woods calling you home.
He was born in a barn just as humble and low,
To shine down a light where the dark rivers flow.
Oh, come to the mercy, come take up the grace,
Right here in the pine trees, in this sacred place.
​[BRIDGE]
(Strip back to bare acoustic guitar and deep vocal resonance)
No matter how far down the road you have run,
The night gives way to the rise of the Son...
​[OUTRO]
(Building to a powerful final chorus line, then fading softly)
Oh, come to the mercy, come take up the grace...
(Sustained pedal steel note fading out into soft acoustic strumming)
END