Embers in the Pines

[Intro] *(Gentle acoustic guitar arpeggio with shimmering tremolo, distant log drum heartbeat, soft wind chimes, crackling fire, owl hoots)* [Verse 1] Whispers rise with cedar smoke Shadows dance on faces spoke Of harvests stored and rivers high Beneath the vast, star-salted sky The fiddle sighs, the old tune bends A thread that links us, me and friends Your hand finds mine, a silent spark Against the coming winter's dark [Verse 2] Banjo plucks a path we know Through memories where soft mosses grow That summer storm, the sun-drenched creek The quiet strength the weary seek The drum now taps like hooves on stone A rhythm felt deep in the bone We share the bread, the bitter wine This fleeting peace, so sweet, so fine [Chorus] Oh, gather close, let worries fade In this bright ring the fire made Before the snows reclaim the ground Let joy and solace here be found A glowing shield, a warming sound While embers in the pines abound *(Faint, layered, ghostly vocal harmony blends with the shimmer)* [Bridge] The wind picks up, a keening call *(Distant, ethereal low-volume vocal scream blends with wind sound)* Through frozen branches, standing tall The strings now climb, a brighter key A testament to you and me The flames leap high, a golden hue Reflecting hope in me and you This borrowed calm, this precious space To fortify for winter's chase [Instrumental Break] *(Soulful acoustic guitar solo - starts joyful and melodic, using open chords and bright runs. Midway, shifts key slightly higher, becoming more intricate and yearning, weaving a story-like melody over steady, soft-fast hand drumming (cajon/bodhran) with light reverb. Constant shimmering tremolo guitar layer underneath. Solo ends peacefully back in original key)* [Chorus] Oh, gather close, let worries fade In this bright ring the fire made Before the snows reclaim the ground Let joy and solace here be found A glowing shield, a warming sound While embers in the pines abound *(Ghostly harmony slightly more present but still blended)* [Verse 3] The stories wane, the flames grow low Soft embers cast a tender glow On sleeping forms and quiet grace This sanctuary time and place A whispered thanks, a final sigh *(Spoken/whispered vocal)* Beneath the watchful pines so high We bank the coals, a future light To face the long and starless night [Outro] *(Acoustic guitar returns to intro arpeggio, simpler now. Shimmering tremolo fades slowly. Hand drumming becomes sparse single beats, then stops. Faint ghostly vocal hum fades. Crackling fire softens. Wind chimes tinkle distantly. Last guitar note hangs with reverb, blending into final fire crackle and a distant owl call. Silence.)*