[Intro] [fingerpicked acoustic guitar] [Verse 1] [baritone male vocals] At first it was a winter sea, Cold enough to steal my breath. Every memory pulled me under, Every silence spoke of death. My sweet Arlette, where did you wander? I called your name into the night. But only echoes crossed the water, And vanished with the fading light. [Chorus] [bass and soft drums enter] Grief does not walk away, my love, It simply learns another face. One day a storm, one day a shadow, One day a hand of quiet grace. And Arlette, in every season, Your absence finds a different way. To break my heart and mend it softly In the very same moment of the day. [Verse 2] [strings enter] Then it fell like endless weather, A thousand tears from empty skies. I carried sorrow like a coat No summer sun could make me hide. Next came mornings wrapped in silver, Where nothing felt entirely clear. I could not see the road before me, But somehow still you felt so near. [Chorus] [full arrangement with electric guitar swells] Grief does not walk away, my love, It simply learns another face. One day a storm, one day a shadow, One day a hand of quiet grace. And Arlette, in every season, Your absence finds a different way. To break my heart and mend it softly In the very same moment of the day. [Bridge] Now sometimes in the evening garden, A blackbird sings your favorite tune. A gentle wind moves through the flowers, And brings me back to you. It still can ache beyond all measure, Yet something warm comes drifting through. Not peace exactly, not forgetting— Just love that learned what loss can do. [Outro] Grief does not walk away, my love, It changes with the passing years. And Arlette, you ride the sunlight That shines through all my lingering tears. You are the wound, you are the healing, The ache, the comfort, all in one. Like a breeze that carries sorrow And reminds me of the sun. [acoustic guitar fades out]
