Something That Wasn't There

[Verse 1 — solo piano] There's a moment just before it, When the whole world's holdin' still, And there's nothin' in me open hand But possibility and will. Then I whisper something ancient, Draw a circle through the air, Think of what I want to happen— And suddenly... It's there. Child, ya never quite get used to Watchin' wonder become true. To know the world was one way once, Then changed because of you. [Verse 2 — acoustic guitar enters] Funny, singin's not so different. There's a silence and a breath. There's a melody that isn't yet, Some words ya haven't said. Then ya find the note yer after, Put yer heart behind the sound, And somethin' only you could hear Is suddenly all around. Maybe magic needs a circle. Maybe music needs a key. Either way, imagination Becomes somethin' we can see. [Chorus] I make something that wasn't there, A song, a spark, a light. Take a little piece of nowhere And convince it to be right. Luck can turn upon a heartbeat. Music turns upon a phrase. Both can take the thing I'm feelin' And give it somewhere safe to stay. God, there's wonder in creation, However strange the art. Making something that wasn't there From something in yer heart. [Verse 3 — gentle fiddle, brighter rhythm] Luck's the strangest instrument, though. Never quite plays what ya ask. Ya lean upon a possibility And hope the good one answers back. A coin decides it rather likes ya. A locked door finds its key. A million little accidents Agree on what should be. And I laugh because it's beautiful. And terrifying too. The universe has all these choices— And sometimes lets me choose. [Pre-Chorus] But a singer learns the same thing: Ya can guide, but not command. Once the song leaves yer lips, child, It belongs in other hands. [Chorus] I make something that wasn't there, A harmony, a flame. Give an unnamed little feeling A shape, a sound, a name. Magic trembles in me fingers. Music trembles in me chest. Both can reach into a broken place And ask it for its best. God, there's wonder in creation, And danger in the art. Making something that wasn't there From something in yer heart. [Bridge — piano and voice] A spell can fail. A high note cracks. A wish can wander wrong. A frightened heart can hide itself Inside a pretty song. And sometimes what ya make reveals Much more than ya intend. A little truth ya thought was yours Comes singing out instead. [softly] That's the fragile bit, I reckon. Every beautiful thing starts With opening some hidden door And trusting what departs. [Final Chorus — soaring, warm] So I'll make something that wasn't there! Let me sing it into life! Let me scatter sparks like melodies Across the autumn night! Let chance dance around me fingers! Let the piano answer back! Let impossible find harmony With everything I lack! I don't need to own creation. I just want to take me part— Turning imagination into something Someone else can hold inside their heart. [music falls to piano] Maybe that's what magic always was. Maybe songs are magic too. A thought becomes a feeling, Then a feeling becomes true. [Outro — acoustic guitar, faint fiddle] There's a moment just before it When the whole world's empty air. Then I breathe. Then I imagine. Then I sing— And something's there.