[Verse 1]
I woke with frost along my coat
And pine needles in my hair
The creek had sealed its silver mouth
The ridge had stripped the air
I counted matches, counted miles
Kept one dry inside my sleeve
Then found a sheltered hollow stone
And made the kind of fire that breathes

[Chorus]
I’m still here when the cold comes down
Still standing when the trail runs out
With a split hand, a steady heart
And the first gray morning breaking through
I’ll take one step, then one more mile
Past the hunger, past the doubt
The wild can take what I can spare
But it won’t take me out

[Verse 2]
A snapped branch marked the western pass
Rain began to stitch the ground
I wrapped my feet in strips of cloth
And followed ravens’ circling sound
By noon I found a line of tracks
By dusk, a cabin’s broken frame
I patched the roof with cedar bark
And kept the little flame

[Chorus]
I’m still here when the cold comes down
Still standing when the trail runs out
With a split hand, a steady heart
And the first gray morning breaking through
I’ll take one step, then one more mile
Past the hunger, past the doubt
The wild can take what I can spare
But it won’t take me out

[Bridge]
When the dark pressed close against the door
I named the things I’d make it for:
A kettle singing, dry socks by the fire
A road that bends toward home
A voice that says, “You’re not alone”

[Final Chorus]
I’m still here when the cold comes down
Still standing, though the trail ran out
With a split hand, a steady heart
And the whole red morning breaking through
I’ll take one step, then one more mile
Till the ridge gives way to town
The wild can take what I can spare
But it won’t take me down

[Outro]
The wild can take what I can spare
But it won’t take me down