[Performance | Beautiful traditional country ballad | Full accompaniment throughout] [Lead Vocal | Mature female | Clear and fully sung | Consistent tone and strength | No whispering or spoken delivery] [Music | Acoustic guitar | Piano | Pedal steel | Fiddle | Bass | Brushed drums | Steady flowing arrangement | No stripping back or instrument dropouts] [Harmonies | Pretty blended country harmonies | Light on verse endings | Richer in choruses | Continue through bridge and outro | Lead remains clear] [Delivery | Warm and heartfelt | Natural phrasing | Gentle holds | Music continues through vocal pauses] [Ending | Full accompaniment and harmonies through final word | Instruments resolve together afterwards] [Intro | Full country ensemble from first bar; flowing piano, pedal steel and fiddle] [Verse 1 | Fully sung, consistent female lead; full country ensemble; pretty harmony on line endings] If I could spend an afternoon Back in my schoolgirl shoes, I’d find my friends out in the yard, When I had nothing much to lose. We wished the weeks away back then, Couldn’t wait till we were grown. I didn’t know how good it felt To have so little still unknown~. [Verse 2 | Same supported lead; full ensemble and steady groove continue; warm harmony on line endings] Then I became somebody’s mother, Still finding my own way. Little one's depending on me, When I barely knew the day. I tried to make a home with love, Sometimes I got it wrong. Some nights I cried when all was quiet… Then got up and carried on~. [Chorus | Full flowing country ensemble; clear consistent lead; beautiful blended three-part harmonies] Looking back at me~, Looking forward to you~. All the girls and women I have been, And the life we’re coming to. One day older… one day closer— I feel those words more than I used to. There’s a lot of living in that mirror, Still so much I want to do with you~. [Verse 3 | Full ensemble continues; steady bass and brushed drums; clear lead with warm harmony] I married, worked and paid the bills, Helped others through their days. Learned to listen, lend a hand, Let people set their pace. Some needed help with getting dressed, Some needed time to speak. I’d ask them how their morning was, And pull up a chair beside their seat. [Verse 4 | Same full country texture and supported lead; pretty harmony on line endings] When my marriage came apart, I couldn’t see what lay ahead. Then you came into my life, And there were vows again. And I started up my business, Put my name upon the door. There were worries, there were working days That left no time for much more~. [Chorus | Full flowing ensemble and steady groove; beautiful three-part harmonies; lead stays clear] Looking back at me~, Looking forward to you~. All the girls and women I have been, And the life we’re coming to. One day older… one day closer— I feel those words more than I used to. There’s a lot of living in that mirror, Still so much I want to do with you~. [Instrumental | Full ensemble continues; lyrical pedal steel and fiddle response over steady groove] [Bridge | Full ensemble and steady groove continue; supported lead; flowing harmonies; no breakdown] Now I can almost taste a morning With no need to watch the clock. Then I sit down with the figures, And I worry what we’ve got. I’ve spent so long caring for others, I worry what later life can be. Sometimes, when the house falls quiet… I wonder who’ll look after me~. [Final Chorus | Rich full country ensemble; consistent lead; beautiful blended three-part harmonies] Looking back at me~, Looking forward to you~. We’ve never been this old before, There’s no map to see us through. One day older… one day closer— Some days that still scare me, if I’m true. But I want those unhurried mornings, And the chance to spend them here with you~. [Outro | Fully sung with full ensemble and warm harmonies through final word; steady groove; no fade] I can’t tell you I’m not frightened… But I’m looking forward, too. Looking back at me~, Looking forward to you~. [Ending | After final sung word, full ensemble resolves together; natural final chord decay]
