Slippin Up

[Intro — instrumental, 8 bars] [Verse 1 — close, restrained; let the frustration build] Half past three, still wearin' shoes Same damn shirt, the same excuse Said I'd stop at havin' one Now the bottle's nearly done Phone lights up beside the sink You ask how I feel; I drink Type “I'm good,” then hit delete Can't ask you to sit with me Kitchen fan's the only sound Still, my thoughts won't settle down Call it rest, but sleep won't come Numb ain't calm; it's only numb [Chorus — full voice; stretch the end words] Slippin' up and fallin' down I can't find my way around Thoughts in my head get too loud Drink some shit to drown 'em out Don't know where i'm goin now But I know I'll make me proud I can last another round I was lost but now i'm found [Verse 2 — firmer delivery; stay in the same register] Hit send: “Come and sit with me” Pull a chair up, let me speak Let you see my bloodshot eyes Say, “I'm scared,” to my surprise You sit through my stops and starts Till I've said the hardest parts Wash that shirt, then change the sheets Clear a space where I can eat Still get nights I want that drink Now I call before I sink Say, “I'll make me proud,” out loud Need to hear it from my mouth [Chorus — full voice; keep the phrasing steady] Slippin' up and fallin' down I can't find my way around Thoughts in my head get too loud Drink some shit to drown 'em out Don't know where i'm goin now But I know I'll make me proud I can last another round I was lost but now i'm found [Instrumental — 8 bars; keep the groove moving] [Final Chorus — strongest delivery; leave space between lines] Slippin' up and fallin' down I can't find my way around Thoughts in my head get too loud Drink some shit to drown 'em out Don't know where i'm goin now But I know I'll make me proud I can last another round I was lost but now i'm found [Outro — soften into the opening melody] Half past three, the kettle sings Talk about the smallest things