Before I say a word

“Before I Say a Word”

(Solo or soft harmony — Americana / Folk / Acoustic)

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Verse 1

The room gets loud before I notice

My chest is tight, my jaw’s set fast

I’ve already answered in my head

Before the moment even asked

I feel the pull to jump or fix it

To fill the quiet, prove I’m right

But there’s a half-beat I keep missin’

Just before I step inside

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Pre-Chorus

I don’t need a better answer

I don’t need to know the way

I just need to find the place I stand

Before I say

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Chorus

Before I say a word

Before I lean or turn

I come back to where I’m standing

Let the ground remind me who I am

Before I say a word

I let the moment breathe

I don’t disappear, I don’t brace

I just stay with me

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Verse 2

I feel my feet, I feel the floor

Like it’s always been right here

No one’s rushing me but me

No one’s asking me to fear

I don’t owe the moment motion

I don’t owe it speed or sound

There’s a steadiness I trust in

When I let myself slow down

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Pre-Chorus (soft)

I don’t need to fix the silence

I don’t need to earn my place

There’s a quiet strength in waiting

Just a space

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Chorus (stronger)

Before I say a word

Before I cross the line

I return to where I started

And remember this is mine

Before I say a word

I let my shoulders drop

I don’t rush, I don’t retreat

I just stop

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Bridge

I’ve mistaken speed for honesty

And tension for being strong

But I’m clearer when I’m steady

I’m truer when I’m calm

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Break (spoken or half-sung)

Right here.

This is enough.

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Final Chorus (full, warm)

Before I say a word

Before I move or choose

I come back into my body

I don’t win, I don’t lose

Before I say a word

I let myself arrive

I don’t need to be ready

I’m already alive

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Outro

So I’ll meet the moment standing

Not ahead, not behind

Just right here

On time