[SONG META: Genre=R&B soul ballad | BPM=82 | Feel=12/8 rolling pulse | Key=G major | Mood=yearning, mature, reconciled] [INTRO: Gmaj9–Bm7/F♯–Em9–Cmaj9 | Rhodes arpeggio, low bass, soft tom] [Female Voice: breath-close, restrained] Do not call the car just yet. [VERSE 1: Gmaj9–Bm7/F♯–Em9–Cmaj9 | sparse 12/8 drums] Your suitcase waits beside the stairs, The ticket rests beneath your hand. We said that distance made good sense; Tonight I do not understand. The kettle clicks, the hall clock turns, Your coat is buttoned to the neck; I know the reasons line by line, But reason has not helped me yet. [PRE-CHORUS: Am9–Bm7–Cmaj9–D13sus | cello enters, bass ascends] I will not ask you to give up The work that carries your name; I only need a little room Before tomorrow makes its claim. [CHORUS: Gmaj9–D/F♯–Em9–Bm7–Cmaj9–Bm7–Am9–D13 | rolling drums, wide harmonies] Stay one hour longer, Let the next train take the line. Stay one hour longer, Put your travelling hand in mine. We can talk until the windows Catch the first clear blue of day; Stay one hour longer, Then I will help you on your way. [VERSE 2: Gmaj9–Bm7/F♯–Em9–Cmaj9 | guitar swells, fuller bass] You set your suitcase flat again, Unbuttoned one, then two, then three; Said, “Every mile is for the life I am still building here with thee.” We found the calendar on the desk, Marked every flight and every return; Love looked less like losing ground, More like a skill that we could learn. [PRE-CHORUS: Am9–Bm7–Cmaj9–D13sus | strings widen] I will not ask you to be small So I can feel secure; Just tell me where the road comes back, And I can miss you with a cure. [BRIDGE: Em9–Bm/D–Cmaj9–G/B–Am9–Bm7–Cmaj9–D13 | drums drop, Rhodes and cello] Promise me the Sunday call, The photograph from every town; I will keep our supper plate, You will keep your feet on ground. [Female Voice: sustained low note into climbing belt] Distance is a measured thing; Commitment is the way back round. [FINAL CHORUS: Amaj9–E/G♯–F♯m9–C♯m7–Dmaj9–C♯m7–Bm9–E13 | whole-step lift, full drums and strings] Stay one hour longer, Let me learn this stronger heart. Stay one hour longer, We are joined when we are apart. When the early platform calls you, I will know the date you return. [Female Voice: soaring belt, earned whistle on “return”] Go and build what you were given; I will meet you when you turn. [OUTRO: Dmaj9–E13–A6/9 | Rhodes resolves, clean stop] One hour was enough to choose us.
