(Said inside the head only, right as the house lights kill and the stage goes black, just you and the Voce)
May my right foot never betray the One.
May my left hand forgive what my right hand just did.
May the snare speak only truth, even when the truth is ugly.
May I hear the click and still refuse to serve it.
“Non serviam tempori falso.”
May every ghost note be born, not manufactured.
May the cymbals crash exactly when the song begs for mercy, and not one beat sooner.
If I rush, let the bass drum swallow me whole.
“Si festino, terra me absorbeat.”
If I drag, let the hi-hat close forever on my pride.
If I play for myself tonight, let the floor tom open and drag me straight to hell. Keep the ego off the throne.
Keep the groove on it. Let me leave the stage lighter than I arrived,
having given everything that wasn’t mine to keep.
Pactum serva.
From the first hit to the last breath.
Amen.