[Acoustic guitar starts — soft, warm]
[Verse 1]
The night is falling slow, like it’s made of memories
I trace the outline of the things you meant to me
And every shadow on the wall feels like your shape
But when I reach for you, it all just fades
[Light percussion enters]
[Pre-Chorus — gentle lift]
I know I shouldn’t hold on, but letting go ain’t easy
Your voice still lingers like a song you never gave me
[Chorus — fuller sound]
So I’ll keep your paper heartbeat [echo: heartbeat] close
Even if it’s fragile, even if it folds
You were the fire in my chest, the warmth when I felt cold
And I’ll keep your paper heartbeat
Till the day my own grows whole
⸻
[Verse 2 — guitar picks up slightly]
I find your letters in the pockets of my jeans
Ink a little smudged from all the places we have been
I hear you laughing in the corners of my mind
A sound I wish I could rewind
[Percussion softens]
[Pre-Chorus — soft build]
I know I shouldn’t hold on, but letting go ain’t easy
Your love still lingers like a truth that never leaves me
[Chorus — bigger, emotional]
So I’ll keep your paper heartbeat [echo] close
Even if it’s fragile, even if it folds
You were the fire in my chest, the warmth when I felt cold
And I’ll keep your paper heartbeat
Till the day my own grows whole
⸻
[Bridge — stripped back, vocals + guitar only]
Maybe we were burning too bright, too fast
Maybe love like ours ain’t meant to last
But oh, I’d hold it all again
Even just to feel your breath
⸻
[Final Chorus — starts soft, grows loud]
I’ll keep your paper heartbeat [soft echo] close
Even if it’s fragile, even if it folds
You were the fire in my chest, the warmth when I felt cold
And I’ll keep your paper heartbeat
Even when I must let go
[Ending — guitar fades out]
