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Spoken version
A recorded reading of “Back Against the Dawn”. If the player does not load, use the original audio source.
Night’s last hour grows a spine of lights. Paper cup—bitterness and grit. I run till smoke becomes morning. Stutter, grin, go—repeat. Laces bite; calves sear, breath saws true. When the east cracks open, I’m mid-stride, street grit bright on my teeth.
Alternative version
Black sky, bright street; coffee singes the tongue. Knocked down in the usual place, I learn to stand and laugh. If I stop now, the smoke sets. Not—yet. Back against the dawn, I keep my feet; scars rethread. I’m the last loud note before morning.
Lyrics
(Go!) Sky’s still black but the street’s alive, Neon bleeding where the tired cars drive. Coffee burn and a second wind, I’m not done, I’m not done, I’m not done again. I’ve been knocked down in the same old place, Same old doubt with a different face. But I learned how to stand up quick, Learned how to laugh at the end of it. If I stop now, I’ll freeze in the smoke, So I run till the morning’s broke. One more mile, one more try— I’m not here to say goodbye. Not— (yank back) Yet— Back against the dawn, I’m still on my feet, Heart like a drum and a fire in my teeth. If the night wants proof, let it watch me move, I’ll turn my scars into something new. When the lights come up, I won’t be gone, I’m the last loud shout before the dawn. (Whoa-oh-oh) feel it break, feel it burn, (Whoa-oh-oh) I never learn to quit. Friends in the back singing out my name, Windows down like a victory frame. Every wrong turn made a better road, Every dead-end taught me how to go. I don’t need clean, I don’t need safe, I need real — and I need it late. So if the sunrise tries to judge, Tell it “wait, I’m not finished up.” If I stop now, I’ll freeze in the smoke… Hold— (on) On— Back against the dawn… (Last breath.) I didn’t come this far to fold, Didn’t learn this fight to go cold. Now— Back against the dawn… [Lead] Back— [BVs] AGAINST THE DAWN!
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