A Proper Request

[Verse 1 – British:]
The chamber waits in quiet breath
A ledger balanced close to debt
Reports of loss, of failing skies
Of edges worn and measured lies

[Donna (soft, separate line underneath):]
Ash does not ask where it falls…

[Verse 1 continues – British:]
No raised voice, no frantic plea
Only careful courtesy
A world that bends but does not break
Speaks in tones we do not shake
Donna:
…only where it can still grow.

[Pre-Chorus – British:]
And though the hour feels unkind
We keep our voice… refined
[Donna (slightly more present):]
But refinement does not feed the starving.

[Chorus – British:]
We ask it proper, plain, and clear
For aid where aid is needed here
Not for pride, nor for display
But for the lives that slip away

[Donna (woven through lines, quieter):]
Lives do not wait for perfect plans…
If we have stood when others fell
Then we must answer as well
[Donna:]
…they only wait for someone to act.

[Verse 2 – British:]
When skies were torn in times before
We answered at your distant shore
We crossed the waves, we bore the cost
And counted what could not be lost
[Donna:]
And you remembered every name.

[Pre-Chorus – British:]
And though the burden weighs us now
We cannot turn from how
[Donna (firm but still measured):]
…that debt shaped what you are.
[Verse 3 - British:]
A step is taken, calm and sure
A voice that does not waver or endure
Of doubt or anger—only will
As still as standing, standing still
“Britain did not come for gain—
Nor ask return for what was paid.”
[Donna (under, quietly acknowledging):]
No… you came because you were needed.

[British:]
“What we gave then still stands here.”
[Donna (slight shift, realization):]
And what stands… must be used.

[Chorus – Overlap intensifies]
We ask it proper, calm and clear
For those who cannot stand and hear
[Donna (rising slightly):]
Then stand together, not alone.
If we have stood when others fell
Then we must answer as well
[Donna (more certain now):]
Even if the path is not yet known.

[Bridge – Dual voices converge]
[British:]
Not what is owed—but what is right
[Donna:]
Not certainty—just hold the line of sight
British:
In shadowed dawn and failing light
[Donna:]
And build what strength we can from sight
[Together (soft, aligned):]
If strength once given can be shown…
Then let it not be left alone

[Final Chorus – Unified tone, still restrained]
We ask it proper, calm and clear
For those who stand and those who fear
If we have stood when others fell
Then we must answer as well
With steady voice and measured grace—
We meet this moment… face to face

[Outro – Quiet convergence]
[Donna (very soft):]
…then we begin.
[British (just as soft):]
…then we proceed.

Imperial chamber, quiet piano, restrained vocals, British: male vocal, Donna: female vocal, formal tone, duty and hope