[Intro | sparse, vocal forward, dark atmosphere] There's a woman in the glass who wears my rings She smiles on cue, she says the right things [Verse 1 | downtempo, vocal close to mic, low register, sparse foundation] The sheets are cool, the morning's grey I kiss him soft and look away He looks at me across the bed With questions neither of us said I play the mother, I play the wife But I've forgot to author my life [Pre-Chorus | bass deepens, strings enter, vocal lifts slightly] Then she walked in — slow and sure With eyes that promised something more She didn't speak to fill the space She let the silence hold her grace [Chorus | groove deepens, strong drums, full chest voice, layered harmonies, vocal commanding] So I went down to meet my dark And found the gold beneath the bark I say no now without a sound I take up space, I stand my ground I'm soft as silk and sharp as flame And I no longer wait to claim my name There's gold in the dark, there's light in the deep And I found her there in the shadows I keep [Verse 2 | sensual groove, vocal warmer, walking bass, finger snaps] I dance with strangers, dance alone I've finally come into my own I read the words that wake my mind I fill my home with what I find Boundaries set soft and clear Right ones stay, the wrong disappear I walk into rooms and now heads will turn Not from asking, not from yearning — but because I burn [Pre-Chorus 2 | drums pull back, strings sustain] And the woman I was starts to fade Into the woman I was always made Not louder, not harder, not cold Just deeply, finally, fully whole [Chorus | full groove, powerful chest voice, layered harmonies] So I went down to meet my dark And found the gold beneath the bark I say no now without a sound I take up space, I stand my ground I'm soft as silk and sharp as flame And I no longer wait to claim my name There's gold in the dark, there's light in the deep And I found her there in the shadows I keep [Bridge | drums minimal, bass and rhodes only, smoky intimate vocal, sensual delivery] And then I noticed — he started to change The man I'd known started looking strange His shoulders broader, his hunger lean He looked at me like he'd never seen He chases now where he used to wait He shows up early, he stays up late His eyes are hungry, his voice is low He wants the woman he didn't know I never asked him — I just changed my mind Because I've become the woman of my design The one he now burns for — and she is mine [Final Chorus | fullest groove, vocal at peak power, all harmonies, commanding presence] So I went down to meet my dark And found the gold beneath the bark I say no now without a sound I take up space, I stand my ground I'm soft as silk and sharp as flame And I no longer have to claim my name I am the choice, I am the door I'm everything I was looking for There's gold in the dark, there's light in the deep And I found her there in the shadows I keep [Outro | sparse, vocal close, spoken-sung wisdom, intimate fade] So sister, go down and meet your own There's a queen in you you've never known Don't shrink to fit a polite frame Let your wild light burn without shame Say no without a reason why Let them wonder, let them try You are not for everyone — and that's the art The right ones find you in the dark You were never gone — just lost your way Rise and find the woman you are today There's a woman in your mirror waiting still Go down and meet her — she always will [End]
