[Intro: piano alone; recurring figure, gentle forward motion] [Verse 1: intimate lead; piano carries the pulse] You asked me where to put your hands. I had to think about it. All that practice on your own, then someone standing close. We watched the other couples turn. You tried to count beneath your breath. I felt you miss the change and waited for your next step. [Refrain: melody opens; keep the accompaniment small] I remember you laughing. You were usually so careful. For a little while you let me see you get it wrong. [Verse 2: low strings enter beneath the piano] They were folding up the chairs when we finally found the rhythm. Someone let the record finish. Someone left the lights on. You said we ought to try again. I said I had to leave. I can't remember being late for anything that evening. [Refrain: a little more air in the voice] I remember you laughing. You were usually so careful. For a little while you let me see you get it wrong. [Instrumental: piano figure continues; oboe enters with an independent melody] [Verse 3: longer phrases; strings change color without a large swell] When I saw you years afterward, you asked about those lessons. I told you I could still get through the turn that gave us trouble. You said you hadn't danced since then. I nearly asked you why. There were people waiting for you. We were standing in their way. [Verse 4: voice comes forward; oboe leaves room between phrases] Perhaps you only meant the steps. Perhaps that's all you kept. I have added things with time; I know I must have done. But there was somewhere in that song you quit looking at your feet. I looked away too quickly. That's the part that stays with me. [Final Refrain: fullest strings; lead stays exposed] I remember you laughing. I don't know what you remember. For a little while I wasn't careful either. [Outro: return to the simpler piano figure; strings recede] You said we ought to try again. I said I had to leave. [End]
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