[Style: Traditional winter hymn-carol. Slow and reverent. Simple, familiar melody. Soft strings or harmonium, minimal percussion, gentle choir on refrains. Warm, intimate female vocal. Candlelit, devotional, comforting rather than triumphant.] [Intro — quiet strings, distant wind, soft breath] [Verse 1 — hushed, intimate, steady] In the deep of winter When the world lay bare Stone and frost and silence Heavy in the air Hope feels far and fragile Fire burns away Yet we stand together At the close of day [Refrain — gentle lift, familiar carol cadence, comforting] Still love remains, Still love remains, When all the world has turned away. Still love remains, Still love remains, To warm our hearts through winter’s day. [Verse 2 — calm endurance, shared strength] Hands are worn and trembling Hearts are tired and sore Still we keep our vigil As we have before What the dark has taken We may not reclaim But we hold each other All the same [Refrain — steady, slightly fuller harmony] Still love remains, Still love remains, When all the world has turned away. Still love remains, Still love remains, To warm our hearts through winter’s day. [Verse 3] I have no great offering No golden flame to give Only open hands And the will to live If the Lady hears us Let her gently see All I bring before her Is loyalty [Refrain — warmer, choir softly joining] Still love remains, Still love remains, When all the world has turned away. Still love remains, Still love remains, To warm our hearts through winter’s day. [Verse 4 — Sune, quiet presence] Not in fire nor glory Does her blessing stay But in love unbroken Through the cold and grey She walks beside the weary She does not depart She makes her home Within the heart [Final Refrain — fuller, tender resolve, no bombast] Still love remains, Still love remains, When all the world has turned away. Still love remains, Still love remains, To warm our hearts through winter’s day. [Outro — strings fade, single held note, silence]
