Save Me a Seat

Lyrics

[Intro]
(HIS)
Ravens stitch the dusk with black thread.
Frost in my lungs, iron on my tongue — I bled.
A lone fiddle calls from an iron door far away.
I follow its cry through the snow and the gray.

[Verse 1]
(HIS)
I fell first — the earth took my weight like a shield.
Mud kissed my mouth; the sky rang with steel.
My ribs beat slow — a war-drum under skin,
Counting the gravel between me and the inn.
We swore before thunder, over ashes and ale:
“Whoever finds the great hall first keeps the tale —
Holds a place at the long table, keeps it warm as a flame.”
Now I walk by that oath, with your breath as my aim.

[Pre-Chorus]
(HERS)
I heard your footfall in the storm you left behind.
The ravens shook their wings and told me every sign.
I’m already inside — the long table hums low,
An empty chair kept warm in the torchlight’s flow.
Come, love — the doors are open; your shadow grows tall.

[Chorus]
(HIS)
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave,
(HERS)
I keep it warm by the iron flame.
(HIS)
Lay down my helm where your hand can save
(HERS)
A place for my bones, and carve my name.
(BOTH)
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave.

[Drop]
[Instrumental Break — Solo violin leads a melodic minor theme over growling dubstep bass and halftime war drums; low male chants pulse beneath like distant warriors.]

[Verse 2]
(HERS)
I’m already here — snow steaming from my hair by the blaze.
I set your blade by the plate; left your cup in my place.
A wolfskin draped across your chair to hold the heat,
Your footprints drying on the stone at my feet.
Ravens perch on the rafters like letters in ink,
Watching the door breathe night with a mead-hall stink.
Torchlight spills gold roads on the floorboards wide —
I stand at the threshold, and I call you inside.

[Pre-Chorus 2]
(HERS)
War-drums like heartbeats — can you hear them near?
(HIS)
They answer my ribs; I am almost here.
(HERS)
The horn is lifted; foam at its crest.
(HIS)
Hold it high, love — I will come and rest.
(BOTH)
One oath, one door, one breath, one wave.

[Chorus 2]
(HERS)
“Save me a seat in the hall of the brave,”
You said with winter on your teeth that day.
(HIS)
Keep it warm — keep the torches from the grave.
(HERS)
I kept it warm by the iron flame.
(BOTH)
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave.

[Drop 2]
[Instrumental Break — The violin fights and soars, cutting through snarling bass; electric guitar swells under sidechained sub, war drums and taiko strike like marching feet; low male chants “hey” rumble beneath.]

[Bridge]
(HIS)
If I should stagger at the final stair,
(HERS)
I’ll meet your hand at the lintel there.
(HIS)
We swore: whoever’s first will hold the place,
(HERS)
I kept the promise — come see my face.
(HIS)
The doors breathe out pine, smoke, and bread.
(HERS)
Step through, my wolf — let winter shed.

[Chant Break]
(MALE CHANT CHOIR, under)
Hey—hey—hold the door—keep the flame—carve the name—
Hey—hey—long table—oaken frame—call his name—
(BOTH, low, over the chants)
Ravens carried our vow through the gale.
I am here. You are near. We do not fail.

[Final Chorus]
(BOTH — unison/harmony)
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave,
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave.
Torchlight through the open doors, our shadows braid,
Raise the horn at the threshold — our fear is unmade.
At the long table thunder, where stories are saved,
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave,
Save me a seat in the hall of the brave.

[Outro]
(BOTH)
The wind goes quiet; the violin stays.
Two voices thin to one in the amber haze.
An empty chair filled, and the table set —
A breath, a hand, a promise kept.