[Verse 1] In just thirteen minutes more I’ll be forty-six years old It feels gentle, strange and soft Like a quiet shining dream From the morning until night I have given all I had My neck and my busy head Are aching from the day [Bridge 1] But somewhere in the noise A small voice calls my name It’s not from anyone else It’s my own voice, waking up [Pre-Chorus 1] I’ve walked all the way to here On these shaky, honest feet Even when I felt like breaking I didn’t fully let go So tonight instead of blame I will try another way I will whisper to myself Words I always longed to hear [Chorus 1] You did so well, my dear self Even if you’re tired and worn out You still showed up, you still stayed That’s a quiet kind of brave You did so well, my dear self You can be a little proud tonight On this soft and silent birthday eve Wrap yourself in gentle light ⸻ [Verse 2] Now there’s someone by my side Learning how to do my work With a calm and steady gaze Writing down each little step When I ask for one thing more Thinking it might be too much They just smile and say to me “It’s okay, I’ve got your back” [Bridge 2] At the meeting with my team Today’s topic was my role Every word they shared with me Felt like sunlight on my chest [Pre-Chorus 2] All those days I thought that no one Really knew what I had done One by one those nameless hours Finally were called by name And inside I softly heard A new echo start to rise It was warm and clear and kind Flowing up into my eyes You did so well, my dear self [Chorus 2] You did so well, my dear self All your hidden effort wasn’t lost Every gentle word they gave today Melted through your guarded heart You did so well, my dear self Let those tired tears just fall On this little inner festival You can finally stand up tall ⸻ [Bridge 3] Tomorrow I will turn things off Close the world outside my door Open up a quiet day That belongs to me alone Not for duty, not for show Not for what they want from me Just to taste the tender start Of my forty-sixth new year [Pre-Chorus 3] And if doubt comes back again I’ll remember what I’ve learned I don’t have to wait around For a crown from someone else I will be the one who speaks To the girl inside my chest I will call her by her name And I’ll tell her one more time You did so well, my dear self [Chorus 3] You did so well, my dear self Thank you for your faithful days All the tiny joys you gathered up Light this birthday eve with grace You did so well, my dear self Thank you for not letting go Even when the night felt endless long You still chose to gently grow ⸻ [Final-Chorus] You did so well, my dear self All these forty-six long years Through the wrong turns and the fears Through the lonely, silent tears You did so well, my dear self Somehow you still made it here That alone’s a quiet miracle Shining softly, bright and clear Here begins your forty-six Let’s invite a little hope Walk beside that younger you Take her gently by the hand You did so well, my dear self As you draw that final ring Like a circle in the starry sky You close your eyes and softly sing You did so well, my dear self
