TRACK 6 — I DON’T RUN WHEN YOU SHAKE from the album I DON’T LEAVE Written by: 12 Gauge OPENING (UNSETTLED — NO DRUMS YET) (Violas tremble softly. Guitar muted, pulsing.) (low, steady) Hey… I got you. VERSE 1 Your hands start moving like you’re losing ground Like the floor won’t listen to your feet You laugh it off, but I hear the sound Of something breaking underneath You say you’re fine, but your eyes don’t lie They’ve been fighting all night long I don’t ask you to calm down I just stay where you’re falling from (ad-libs, low & reassuring) —yeah… —I see it —I’m here PRE-CHORUS Everybody wants you steady Everybody wants you strong But nobody wants to stand this close When the shaking comes on (breath) I do. CHORUS (PRIMARY) I don’t run when you shake When your voice starts to break When your past comes rushing in And you can’t escape I don’t run when you shake I don’t ask you to be brave If your world falls apart in my face I don’t run when you shake (ad-libs, soft doubles) —don’t run —right here —I won’t move VERSE 2 I’ve seen the calm fall out your chest Like you forgot how breathing works I don’t fix it, I don’t guess I just take it till it hurts I know that look, I know that fear I know when you go numb You don’t have to explain a thing I already know where you’re from (spoken ad-libs) —I know —yeah… —I know PRE-CHORUS 2 (VARIATION) If you think you’re too much tonight Too loud, too far gone Remember who’s still standing here When everybody else is gone CHORUS (LIFTED) I don’t run when you shake When the silence gets loud When you can’t hold yourself together I hold us now I don’t run when you shake Let it hit, let it wave If loving you means standing still I don’t run—I stay (ad-libs, cracked) —stay —yeah… —I stay BRIDGE (PROTECTIVE — NEAR WHISPER) (Music strips to cello + breath.) If this is the part you hate the most The part you hide away Then bring it here—don’t carry it alone I’m not afraid (voice tight) You don’t scare me. (half-bar silence) FINAL CHORUS (LAST STAND) I don’t run when you shake I don’t flinch, I don’t fold If the night takes everything You’re not alone I don’t run when you shake Let it fall, let it ache I’ve been here the whole damn time I don’t run when you shake (ad-libs layered) —right here —yeah —I’m not going —I’m still here OUTRO (soft, steady) Breathe… I got you. (Strings fade. Track ends.)
