[ vocal improvisation recommended]
[Intro – Soft Organ & Horns]
[Male] Ooooh… yeah…
[Female] Mmm… don’t you leave me now…
⸻
[Verse 1]
[Male] I used to walk these streets alone
Cold night wind cut to the bone
Kept my heart locked up tight
Afraid of love, afraid of the light
[Female] I learned to smile and play it strong
Pretendin’ I could move along
But every time somebody tried
I’d say goodbye and run to hide
[Male] Then you reached for my hand that night
[Female] And everything felt so right
[Both] Something changed deep inside
⸻
[Chorus – Big Soul Lift]
[Male] Stay awhile, my love
Don’t you run from what we’ve found
Lay your worries down
Right here in my arms
[Female] I’ve been scared of trustin’ hearts
Scared of fallin’ hard
But when you hold me close
It don’t feel so dark
[Both]
Stay awhile, my love
You don’t have to be alone
You can call my heart your home
And baby… you are loved
⸻
[Verse 2 – Groove Builds]
[Female] I cry in silence late at night
Headlights glow but nothing feels right
I say goodbye before you can
Just to see if you’ll understand
[Male] I’ll stand outside your door in the rain
Through every doubt, through every pain
Every time you start to fall
I’ll be the one who catches it all
⸻
[Pre-Chorus – Stronger]
[Female] You don’t turn away from me
[Male] You love me honestly
[Both] And that’s all I need
⸻
[Chorus – Higher, Fuller]
[Female] Stay awhile, my love
Don’t let fear decide
[Male] I’ll be right here by your side
Through the storm
[Both]
It ain’t always sweet and clear
Sometimes love brings tears
But if we hold on tight
We can make it right
Stay awhile, my love
Let the lonely days be done
You don’t have to run
Not anymore
And baby… you are loved
⸻
[Bridge – Call & Response]
[Male] Don’t push me away
[Female] I’m tryin’ not to
[Male] Every scar you carry
[Female] I’m givin’ to you
[Both] We’ll carry them together now
⸻
[Final Chorus – Big 60s Soul Finale]
[Both]
Stay awhile, my love
Heaven’s in the way we hold on
Through the night till the dawn
We’ll be strong
[Male] You’re not alone anymore
[Female] I’m not afraid like before
[Both – Big Finish]
Stay awhile…
Stay awhile…
Cause baby… you are loved.
