*Before / IT /Changes*
[BEFORE IT CHANGES] Male Lead → Male/Female Philosophical Duet [INTRO — distant piano, one low cello note, soft heartbeat kick] [MALE — almost alone] I was born into a question With somebody else’s name, Taught the road before the walking, Taught the rules before the game. They said, become what came before you, Stand in line and understand. But somewhere underneath obedience A soul was raising up its hand. [PRE-CHORUS — strings begin moving] Was it fate that brought me here, Or every choice I almost made? Is tomorrow waiting for me— Or being written while I wait? [CHORUS — first lift] Let me live this out before it changes, Let me hold this hour while it is mine. Yesterday is closed behind me, Tomorrow hasn't learned my name in time. Maybe hope's the smallest act of courage, Maybe doubt is how the spirit knows— I don't have to see forever... I just have to go. [INSTRUMENTAL TURN — piano answers violin; restrained brass enters] [VERSE 2 — MALE] I've worn certainty like armor, I've worn questions to the bone. I've mistaken being guarded For the strength to stand alone. I've chased answers through the future, Turned the past a thousand ways, Till I found the only moment I could ever touch was today. [PRE-CHORUS — stronger] Every dream begins unproven, Every prayer begins unknown. Maybe wishing is the doorway Through which unseen things come home. [CHORUS — larger] Let me live this out before it changes, Let me feel the turning while it turns. Every ending leaves an opening, Every life is something being learned. Maybe hope's the sacred invitation That imagination sends through time— What the heart can hold in darkness May one day arrive. [MUSIC FALLS AWAY — piano + suspended strings] [MALE] The poet takes a step back... Not to leave— But just to see. [FEMALE — first entrance, distant and clear] And what if what you call tomorrow Has been listening quietly? [MALE] What if all my wanting— [FEMALE] Wasn't wanting... [MALE] What if all my asking— [FEMALE] Was becoming... [TOGETHER, softly] What if every dream remembered Leaves a footprint we can follow Into being? [BRIDGE — DUET, half-time, sacred/cinematic] [MALE] I am the sum of roads behind me— [FEMALE] You are more than where you've been. [MALE] I am standing at the threshold— [FEMALE] Then don't wait to enter in. [MALE] Do we choose? [FEMALE] Sometimes. [MALE] Are we chosen? [FEMALE] Maybe. [MALE] Is it destiny? [FEMALE] Who knows? [TOGETHER] But while the great unknown is turning— We are here. And that is close enough to know. [ORCHESTRA SWELLS — piano, cello, full strings, powerful horns] [FINAL CHORUS — BOTH] Let us live this out before it changes, Let us love the change when change arrives. Past and future stand like bookends— But here between them... We are alive. Hope may be the oldest form of magic, Love may be the reason we survive. And the dream we almost left behind us May be waiting farther down the line. So let tomorrow keep its secrets. Let yesterday release its claim. We don't need forever's answer To give this moment Everything. [FINAL RISE] [MALE] Before it changes— [FEMALE] I am here. [MALE] Before it changes— [FEMALE] Hold me near. [TOGETHER] And when it changes... Let it change. We'll meet the life that's coming With the life we lived today. [ENDING — orchestra drops away; piano + solo trumpet/flugelhorn] [FEMALE, almost whispered] What if the future heard us? [MALE] Then let it come. [TOGETHER] We're already on our way. [FINAL INSTRUMENTAL TAG — trumpet states the main melody once; piano resolves cleanly; full stop]
