[vocal improvisation recommended]
[Nina Simone vocal]
[Intro]
Midnight breathing through the iron
Cold wind knows me by name
Every road I ever trusted
Brought me here the same
⸻
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
When today won’t let me breathe
Every chain starts shaking
When I fall down on my knees
I don’t know how, I don’t know when
But I hear the river call
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
And it won’t let me fall
(won’t let me fall)
[Verse 1]
They tell me nothing here is solid
They say the sky don’t stay
So I count the names I’ve carried
Just to make it through the day
I feel a spark still breaking
Through the long and restless night
Before too long, before too long
I’ll be stepping into light
⸻
[Chorus (lift)]
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
When today won’t let me breathe
Every chain starts shaking
When I fall down on my knees
I don’t know how, I don’t know when
But I hear the river call
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
And it won’t let me fall
(won’t let me fall)
(Optional background vocals: “hold on / hold on ”)
⸻
[Verse 2]
They tell me every soul needs armor
They tell me every heart must bend
So I study my reflection
Like an old and wounded friend
I feel a spark still breaking
Through the long and restless night
Before too long, before too long
I’ll be stepping into light
⸻
[Chorus]
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
When today won’t let me breathe
Every chain starts shaking
When I fall down on my knees
I don’t know how, I don’t know when
But I hear the river call
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
And it won’t let me fall
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
And it won’t let me fall
⸻
[Verse 3]
Down the line stands a man in a borrowed coat
With a voice worn thin by blame
All day long he keeps calling out
Like fire don’t remember his name
I feel a spark still breaking
Through the long and restless night
Before too long, before too long
I’ll be stepping into light
⸻
[Final Chorus / Outro (Gospel tag)]
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
With my hands still open wide
If freedom’s just a whisper
I can hear it testify
I don’t know how, I don’t know when
But I feel these walls give way
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
Amen, I’m on my wayyyy
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
With my hands still open wide
If freedom’s just a whisper
I can hear it testify
I don’t know how, I don’t know when
But I feel these walls give way
I’ve been holding on to tomorrow
Amen, I’m on my wayy
A-men, I’m on my wayyyy
A-men, I’m on my wayyyyy