[Intro – soft piano, distant trumpet] Evenin’… You don’t have to stand so far off… --- [Verse 1 – slow swing] Been a long road, dusty and wide Folks step back when I step inside Don’t blame ‘em none… I understand Ain’t much left of a gentle hand Kept to shadows, kept to doors Turned away like times before But you stood still… didn’t move away… That’s somethin’ new… I got to say --- [Pre-Chorus – quiet, unsure] If you don’t mind… I’d like to know… If you’re stayin’… or fixin’ to go… --- [Chorus – tender, fragile] Stay a while, mister… don’t be shy Ain’t no need for wonderin’ why I won’t hurt you, I won’t pretend Just been some time since I had a friend Stay a while… that’s all I ask No need to look too far in the past If your hand don’t mind mine tonight… I think I’ll be… alright --- [Verse 2 – deeper emotion] Hands like yours… I used to know Long, long time ago Soft and warm… steady too… Funny how I remember the feel of you Years went by, I lost the way What it meant just to be held that way But you ain’t flinched… you ain’t run… Makes me think I ain’t the only one --- [Instrumental – muted trumpet, slow sway] --- [Bridge – almost breaking] If it’s just tonight… I’ll understand World’s been cruel to a girl like me But if you stay… and take my hand… That’s enough… that’s plenty --- [Final Chorus – warmer, fuller] Stay a while, mister… don’t you rush Ain’t had reason to feel this much Band’s still playin’, lights still low No place else I’d rather go Stay a while… just hold me near Ain’t been touched in a hundred years If this ends come mornin’ light… I’ll still have tonight --- [Outro – fading piano] …that’s all I need… just tonight…
