LEAVE THE LIGHT ON

[Instrumental Intro — 0:00–0:15] [Verse 1 — 0:15 | restrained, steady delivery] I keep tha hall light on through tha night. Like I'll come home and feel fuckin' right. My coat stays on; I sit out of sight. Both hands still grippin' my keys too tight. I watch your name light up on my phone. Can't let you hear how hollow I've grown. You know that lie; it's one of your own. But we both swear we need time alone. These takeout bags pile up by tha door. I step past meals I don't want no more. My jeans fit loose; they drag on tha floor. I miss tha weight that I had before. I used to call with so much to say. Now I rehearse, then put it away. Don't need some speech 'bout findin' my way. Jus' sit with me till night turns to day. [Chorus — 0:46 | open vowels, same register] Don't let me fade; don't look away. I need you here, that's hard to say. No big advice, jus' come and stay. Help me get through one more damn day. Leave tha light on for me tonight. I'm still in here, jus' out of sight. Don't need to say I'll be all right. Jus' stay until tha mornin' light. [Verse 2 — 1:01 | same pocket, more direct] Your text says, “Here.” I don't send one back. I stand, then sit; my screen fades to black. You call again; my voice starts to crack. I turn tha lock, then take one step back. You move tha coat and make us some space. I try to grin; it falls off my face. You say, “No rush,” so I set tha pace. For once, my words don't feel like a race. I tell you things I thought might offend. Like how I hate that I need a friend. You let me talk, don't force it to end. No “chin up” speech, no need to pretend. Tha room's still fucked, but now I can breathe. You grab tha bags; I make us some tea. My hands still shake; you don't stare at me. It's not all fixed, but I let you see. [Chorus — 1:32 | repeat the original melody] Don't let me fade; don't look away. I need you here, that's hard to say. No big advice, jus' come and stay. Help me get through one more damn day. Leave tha light on for me tonight. I'm still in here, jus' out of sight. Don't need to say I'll be all right. Jus' stay until tha mornin' light. [Instrumental Outro — 1:48–2:03]