[Intro - spoken, low, startled, brushed cymbal + piano sting] She ran right into me... [Verse 1 - upright bass, brushes, accordion, heartbeat tempo] I was leaving the café, head bowed to the rain Thinking of hospital forms and my wife’s name Then a blur of ribbons, a gasp, a crash Her books in the gutter, my world in a flash I reached without thinking, old soldier’s reflex Picked up her poems with my hands full of wrecks And then... mon Dieu... her fingers brushed mine For one split second, I stopped serving time [Pre-Chorus - strings enter, muted trumpet, trembling but restrained] She looked up so scared, "Pardon, monsieur" And I saw all of heaven in her eyes, it’s true I said "careful, miss" — my voice like stone While my traitor heart cried "don’t let her go" [Chorus - chanson, no "yeah-yeah", deep baritone, aching dignity] Oh, mademoiselle, your hand in mine For one stolen beat, I crossed the line The rain stopped falling, the street stood still I felt nineteen again, against my will I should have pulled back, I should have run But your touch was the first warmth I’d felt from the sun In twenty years of night... Mademoiselle... what have I done... [Verse 2 - piano, cello, confessional, slower] I tipped my hat like my father taught Said "watch your step" with the words I was not Thinking at all — I was praying she’d stay Just one moment more before I walk away She stood there dazed with her books to her chest And I saw in her face what I dared not confess That spark I felt... she felt it too Christ, what is a broken man to do? [Pre-Chorus - bigger, strings swell, trumpet cries once] I turned down the street like a man to the gallows Each step from her was a prayer I can’t hallow I told myself "it was nothing, a touch" While my hand still burned from not having enough [Chorus - repeat, add choir "ahh", more guilt and wonder] Oh, mademoiselle, your hand in mine For one stolen beat, I crossed the line The rain stopped falling, the street stood still I felt nineteen again, against my will I should have pulled back, I should have run But your touch was the first warmth I’d felt from the sun In twenty years of night... Mademoiselle... what have I done... [Bridge - breakdown, spoken over solo piano + contrabass, raw] I got home. My wife was asleep. The house smelled of medicine and defeat. I washed my hands for ten minutes or more... But I could still feel her... like a sin... like a door... [Final Chorus - full orchestra, tragic restraint, no resolution] Oh, mademoiselle, your hand in mine I will carry that moment till the end of my time Not as a lover... I have no right... But as a man who saw the light One second of spring in my winter’s design God help me... her hand in mine... Mademoiselle... goodnight... [Outro - slow fade, vinyl crackle, rain, distant footsteps walking away] One second... and I’m ruined...
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