Candle in the Cellar

[Verse 1]
Old clock ticks
Dust on the frame
Cross on the wall
Crooked with blame
You said the shadows
Were only in my head
But they crawl up the stairs
And they lean on my bed
[Chorus]
I light a candle in the cellar
For every secret that you sold
Smoke writes your name along the ceiling
Then turns to stone
Then turns to cold
I hear your laughter in the hallway
Like chains that never let me go
Candle in the cellar
Burning where the lost ones go
[Verse 2]
Cold tea cup
Lipstick stain
You left your jacket
Kept your pain
I talk to your photo
Till the glass feels warm
Then the eyes look back
Like an oncoming storm (ohhh)
[Chorus]
I light a candle in the cellar
For every secret that you sold
Smoke writes your name along the ceiling
Then turns to stone
Then turns to cold
I hear your laughter in the hallway
Like chains that never let me go
Candle in the cellar
Burning where the lost ones go
[Bridge]
[Guitar wail
Drums half-time]
If I blow it out
Do you disappear?
Or do you climb the stairs
And whisper in my ear?
If I let it burn
Right down to the wick
Will you finally fade
Or make me sick? (yeah)
[Chorus]
I light a candle in the cellar
For every secret that you sold
Smoke writes your name along the ceiling
Then turns to stone
Then turns to cold
I hear your laughter in the hallway
Like chains that never let me go
Candle in the cellar
Candle where the lost ones go

Dark, swaggering hard rock in the vein of classic 80s metal; crunchy twin guitars in drop tuning, stomping mid-tempo drums, male vocals with a haunted sneer and wide vibrato. Verses stay tight and riff-driven, bass glued to the kick; choruses explode with gang shouts and reverb-drenched harmonies. Brief, wailing guitar lead in the bridge, then final chorus climbs a half-step for maximum drama.