By You I Stay

I learned the world doesn’t slow down for anyone.

But somehow—

you waited.

I’ve been standing in the middle of the noise

Trying to hear my name in the crowd

Every road I ran, every choice

Led me back when I almost fell down

I’ve been strong, I’ve been quiet

Held the weight like I should

But it’s different when you say my name

Like you knew that I would

I don’t speak in promises I can’t keep

I don’t reach if I’m not sure

But you saw me when I hid my heart

Still knocked on the door

I don’t need saving, don’t need gold

Just someone who won’t leave

If the whole world pulls me away

Will you still stand with me?

If the lights go out tonight

If the answers don’t feel right

I won’t run, I won’t fade

By your side… I stay

By you I stay, when the night gets heavy

By you I stay, when I’m not ready

Even if my hands are shaking

Even if my heart breaks slow

By you I stay, through every season

Love don’t need a thousand reasons

If the world keeps pulling away

By you… by you I stay

I’ve been learning how to rest my soul

Not disappear just to survive

Every scar I tried to hide before

Feels lighter when you’re by my side

I don’t need forever shouted loud

Just quiet truth that doesn’t bend

If tomorrow asks too much of me

I’ll come home to you again

I’ve led with fire, I’ve led with fear

Worn the crown when it cut my skin

But strength isn’t standing alone

It’s knowing who you let in

If I fall, don’t call my name

Just hold the ground I’m on

I don’t need to be carried

Just don’t let go when I’m gone

If the sky starts falling down

If I lose what I found

I won’t run, I won’t stray

By your side… I stay

By you I stay, when hope feels fragile

By you I stay, through every trial

Even when the road is breaking

Even when I’m scared to pray

By you I stay, no turning back now

Love is here, I know that now

If the world keeps pulling away

By you… by you I stay

I don’t need the stars to promise me light

I don’t need the sun to rise

If I can breathe in the space between

Your heart and mine

Let time be loud, let years be cruel

Let everything else fade

If I have one place left to stand

By you… I stay

By you I stay, when words fall silent

By you I stay, through the violence

Of loving deep and staying open

When the past still calls my name

By you I stay, I’m not afraid now

Every vow I never said out loud

If the whole world turns away

By you… by you I—

We don’t stay because it’s easy.

We stay because we chose to.