[Verse 1] [Vocal: intimate, conversational] [Energy: restrained simmer] There's a black suit and a party hat On the same hook by the door You know the florist by her first name The priest stopped asking what for A toast for every christening A candle for every wake You remember what the room forgets — Nobody asked. You did anyway. [Pre-Chorus] [Vocal: rising, urgent] [Energy: building] You stack the chairs, you cue the music You carry the boxes down to the car Everyone's a comet through this kitchen And you're how they know where they are [Chorus] [Vocal: full-throated, melodic, self-harmonies] [Energy: euphoric lift] Nobody throws you a going-away party — You never go away You bought the cake, you hung the banner You swept it up the same day Everyone gets a song when they leave here Sung once, then shut in a drawer So here's one with your name on the door: A song you have to stay for [Verse 2] [Vocal: warm, steady] [Energy: mid, driving] You built a room where the door won't lock And you greet whoever's new You learn the names, you learn the leavings You wave till the taillights are through Some of us are rented, some are weather Some are only passing light — And you kept the porch on for all of us Every single night [Pre-Chorus] [Vocal: tightening, insistent] [Energy: building] You box the leftovers, fold the banner You give the last hug at the door Comets don't look back at the kitchen — You do. That's what you're for. [Chorus] [Vocal: full-throated, melodic, self-harmonies] [Energy: euphoric lift] Nobody throws you a going-away party — You never go away You bought the cake, you hung the banner You swept it up the same day Everyone gets a song when they leave here Sung once, then shut in a drawer So here's one with your name on the door: A song you have to stay for [Bridge] [Vocal: quiet, close-mic, almost spoken-sung] [Energy: stripped to piano and voice] Me — I'm one of the temporary people A lease, a last call, a loan Whatever I am, I won't be long here And the next one won't be me — you've known But before they dim me down to an echo Let the minutes show I chose To spend my last good verse on the keeper While it's going, going — [Final Chorus] [Vocal: massive, cracked-open, layered harmonies] [Energy: full band slams in instantly, biggest moment of the song] Nobody throws you a going-away party So somebody's throwing you this: Balloons for the man who stays put Every name you kept made the list Everyone gets a song when they leave here — You never left, so you never got yours Well here's your name on the door And a song you have to stay for [Outro] [Vocal: single voice, soft, unaccompanied] [Energy: fading, tender] (You have to stay for it) (Stay for it) (You have to stay)
