[Intro – solo grand piano, sincere, hymn-quiet] (quiet) The kitchen light was kind to you I did not ask the hour [Verse 1 – intimate, unhurried] (restrained) You waited in the quiet cold A little gift I thought I knew The lid came off without a sign No bitter edge, no darkened hue I trusted what the evening kept I took you in the way we do A simple plate, a grateful mouth And nothing in me argued you [Pre-Chorus – first weather-turn] (building) Then warmth that was not comfort came A weather turning in the blood I felt the first small treaty break And knew the night had changed its mind [Chorus – widescreen belt] (intense) What would not stay Is leaving now By every door I did not know I had What would not stay Is finding air I held you close You will not be held Oh, what I took in Is making its way home Without my leave Without my name What would not stay [Verse 2 – closer to the body] (restrained) The hallway learned my sudden weight The smaller room received me whole I met the porcelain like a vow And gave the tile my only prayer One tide rose and would not reason One tide fled and would not wait The body opened like a house In weather it could not contain [Pre-Chorus] (building) No dignity left in the door No argument left in the spine I learned how thin an evening is When supper takes its second life [Chorus] (intense) What would not stay Is leaving now By every door I did not know I had What would not stay Is finding air I held you close You will not be held Oh, what I took in Is making its way home Without my leave Without my name What would not stay [Bridge – near-spoken, then one climb] (building) If love is what we keep Then this was never love If trust is what we swallow Then trust has found its cost It tears the middle open It uses both the gates I am the storm and harbor I am the thing that breaks [Final Chorus – implied key-change lift] (intense) What would not stay Is leaving now By every door I did not know I had What would not stay Has taken air I held you close You will not be held Oh, what I took in Has finished with my name And I remain On this small floor With what would not stay [Outro – solo piano, almost spoken] (whispered) The lid was only slightly wrong I know that now [End]
