[Title: Say It While They’re Here] [Intro – Warm Acoustic Guitar, Sparse Piano] [Female – intimate, spoken-sung] [Verse 1] Daddy never said much leaving Just checked the tires and filled the tank Mama tucked a twenty in my pocket Like I wouldn't know who I should thank We were good at talking ’round things Weather, work, the neighbor’s fence But love was in the little places We just never called it what it meant [Pre-Chorus – Piano begins to open] I thought there’d always be a Sunday Another kitchen, another year Funny how forever gets much smaller When somebody you love disappears [Chorus – Warm Bass, Light Drums, Restrained Pedal Steel] Say it while they’re here While the chair is pulled up to the table While their coat is by the door And you still can if you’re able Don’t save the words for flowers Don’t wait until the room is clear If somebody is your whole heart Say it while they’re here [Verse 2 – Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Bass, More Resonant] I’ve watched the seasons through our window Watched the children come and go Learned a life is made of moments We don’t treasure till they go My brother called me late one Tuesday Said, “You know Dad was proud of you” I said, “I know,” but something in me Knew what I still needed to [Pre-Chorus – Drums widen slightly] There are things we think are understood ’Cause they’ve always lived nearby But love shouldn’t have to read our silence While we’re waiting for the perfect time [Chorus – Fuller, Still Controlled] Say it while they’re here While the chair is pulled up to the table While their hand can reach for yours And the ordinary is still available Don’t save the words for flowers Don’t give silence one more year If somebody is your whole heart Say it while they’re here [Bridge – Strip Back to Voice, Piano and Acoustic Guitar] Mama, I love you I should say it more Brother, you were there for me When I couldn’t find the door And if you’re sitting next to someone You’ve been meaning to tell for years Turn your head Look right at them Say it [Pause – Nearly Silent] While they’re here [Final Chorus – Full Nashville Lift, Ringing Guitars, Piano, Pedal Steel, Natural Drums] Say it while they’re here While their eyes can still answer yours across the table While the miles and all the years Still lead you back to something stable Time may turn the pages But love is more than what remains Don’t make “I love you” be a sentence You only learn to say too late Say, “I need you” Say, “I’m proud that you are here” If somebody is your whole heart Say it while they’re here [Outro – Instruments Fall Away to Voice, Piano and Acoustic Guitar] Daddy never said much leaving Neither did I So I’m saying it now While you’re here
