All the Things I Couldn't Say at Thirty-Nine

[Intro — delicate solo violin, soft female voice] My babies... Thirty-nine years. And there are still things I'm learning. But if these songs are all you remember, I hope you hear this... You were always worth loving. [Verse 1 — haunting piano, gentle Celtic fiddle] I've lived through chapters I didn't choose, Learned some lessons I wish I'd never knew. I've chased the stars, I've lost my way, Found the courage to begin again. I've said I'm sorry a thousand times, For taking up space, for speaking my mind. But somewhere beneath those years and scars, I found the girl who believed in stars. And now I see her in your eyes, Seven different worlds, seven beautiful skies. And everything I wish she'd known, I'm leaving in these songs for you to hold. [Pre-Chorus — violin rising] I won't pretend I know it all, But here's what matters through it all... [Chorus — soaring electric violin, powerful Norse drums] LIVE YOUR LIFE, MY LITTLE STARS! Don't let the world decide who you are! Love with courage, dream out loud, Stand your ground and make me proud! You don't have to earn your place, Or live your life without mistakes. And when you wonder if you're enough, Remember you were born deserving love! Oh, my babies, near or far— Never forget how loved you are! [Verse 2 — warm Celtic guitar, emotional vocals] Be kind to the face inside the glass, Don't let your mistakes become your past. Know when to stay, know when to leave, And never beg someone to make you believe That you're worth the time, the love, the care, The right to breathe your own fresh air. Cry when you're hurting, laugh when you're free, Be everything you were born to be. Build a home where your heart can rest, Don't measure your worth by someone else's success. And when life changes what you planned, Remember you're allowed to begin again. [Chorus — full gothic Celtic rock] LIVE YOUR LIFE, MY LITTLE STARS! Don't let the world decide who you are! Love with courage, dream out loud, Stand your ground and make me proud! You don't have to earn your place, Or live your life without mistakes. And when you wonder if you're enough, Remember you were born deserving love! Oh, my babies, near or far— Never forget how loved you are! [Bridge — stripped piano, intimate female vocals] One day you'll hear these songs differently, When you're older than you are today. And maybe you'll understand some things I couldn't find the words to say. I can't promise I'll have every answer, Or always know just what to do. But my mistakes are mine to answer for, They're not a weight I'm leaving you. [Violin builds, emotional harmonies] I hope you go beyond my fears, Find beautiful things I never knew. I hope you write your own tomorrows, And choose the dreams that call to you. And if you ever lose your way, Remember what I've tried to say... [Brief Electric Violin Solo — 12 seconds, soaring and triumphant] [Final Chorus — powerful, angelic layered vocals] LIVE YOUR LIFE, MY LITTLE STARS! The world is waiting for who you are! Be kind, be brave, be wonderfully strange, And never fear the need to change! Make your own mistakes, find your own truth, Keep the wonder that lives inside you! And if the darkness hides your stars, YOUR WORTH IS MORE THAN WHERE YOU ARE! Seven hearts and seven skies, Seven beautiful, extraordinary lives! Oh, my babies, near or far— YOU'LL ALWAYS BE LOVED FOR WHO YOU ARE! [Outro — opening violin melody returns] [Softly sung] Before the world, Before the scars, Before the names, You were already stars. And every road That you walk through, My love won't ask You to stop being you. [Spoken Outro — soft, intimate maternal voice] My babies... I wrote these songs at thirty-nine. Not because I had life figured out. But because I wanted you to have Some of the words I needed when I was little. You don't owe me a perfect future. You don't owe me my dreams. Your lives belong to you. And loving you... Will always be one of the greatest parts of mine. Forever and always. Love, Mama.