[Intro — Opening guzheng motif, low didgeridoo] [Verse 1 — Fragile soprano] I asked my friend to stay for tea, Then watched the steam instead of her. The letters lay across my knees; My fingers hid the final word. She didn't ask me to be brave. She moved her chair and waited there. I felt the sentence rise at last, Too small, I thought, for her to hear. [Pre-Chorus — Timpani enter] It left my mouth before I knew: “I was so angry when I lost you.” [Chorus — Soaring operatic release] The weight of a whisper, The pull of a stone, A word in the water— How far it can go. I thought it would break me To let someone know. The weight of a whisper, And I let it go. [Verse 2 — Firmer phrasing] I said I hated how they spoke As if your leaving had been kind. I said that sometimes I forgot, Then felt the loss a second time. She held the cup between her hands. She let each ugly feeling live. The room was still the room we knew; There was no verdict left to give. [Pre-Chorus — Orchestra rising] My voice grew rough; she didn't turn. I had so much I had to learn. [Chorus — Full orchestra] The weight of a whisper, The pull of a stone, A word in the water— How far it can go. I thought it would break me To let someone know. The weight of a whisper, And I let it go. [Bridge — Gentle female spoken word] I thought saying it aloud Would make it all I was. She heard me to the end. She stayed. [Abrupt Silence] [Guitar Solo — Passionate, gradually ascending] [Final Chorus — Layered soprano harmonies] The weight of a whisper, The pull of a stone, A word in the water— How far it can go. My voice may be shaking; It carries me home. The weight of a whisper, And I let it go. [Outro — Harp and dizi] She heard me. She stayed.
