👑Silverline Hearts - (1988) After the Rainfall - Answer Me Softly v5a

[Intro: (piano arpeggios, soft pad swell)] breathe, then speak [Verse 1: (piano and clean guitar, intimate)] you keep a hand on the handle, a hand on my hair, you call it kindness to linger, I call it a prayer, if leaving is mercy, don’t circle the block, if staying is better, then turn the lock [Pre-Chorus: (tom build, bass enters)] don’t draw the curtain if you want the dawn, don’t write our names if you plan to be gone [Chorus 1: (big drums, harmony stack)] answer me softly, tell me the truth you own, answer me softly, I’ll stand here alone, answer me softly, no thunder, no show, answer me softly, yes means yes, no means NO [Verse 2: (piano stronger, guitar echoes)] you say you love how I listen, I’m listening still, but silence is heavy, it crushes the will, if love is a shelter, then open the door, if love is a lesson, then teach me more [Pre-Chorus: (snare builds, strings pad)] don’t trace a promise you won’t let live, don’t hold my heart if you won’t give [Chorus 2: (wider harmonies)] answer me softly, even if it breaks, answer me softly, for both our sakes, answer me softly, I won’t make you pay, answer me softly, choose to GO or stay [Bridge: (piano only, voice close)] no speeches, no saint, no blame to assign, just say the line, just cross the line [Guitar Solo: (lyrical, bending into sustain)] [Guitar Solo continues: (melodic climb, choir pads)] [Chorus 3: (key lift, full band, cymbal wash)] answer me softly, I’ll live with the light, answer me softly, wrong or right, answer me softly, I’ll carry the scar, answer me softly, wherever YOU are [Outro: (piano decays, breathy echo)] softly. softly