[Intro – band hits, stop-time feel] (Lead – spoken/shouted) No… no, no, no—don’t do me like that! (Horns stab — drums kick in) ⸻ Verse 1 You said you loved me, said you’d never leave Now you’re turnin’ round like I’m somethin’ you don’t need I gave you all I had, every part of me Now you’re walkin’ out like it’s easy (Backing – soft) Easy… I stood by you through the hard, hard times Held your hand when you were losin’ your mind Now you won’t even look me in the eye Tell me, baby… why? ⸻ Pre-Chorus (build) (Lead) I can feel it slippin’, slippin’ away (Backing) Slippin’ away (Lead) And there ain’t a word that you wanna say (Backing) Wanna say ⸻ Chorus (explosive) (Lead) DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME! (Backing) Don’t walk away! (Lead) DON’T YOU LEAVE ME IN MISERY! (Backing) Stay! (Lead) I’m callin’ out, can’t you hear my plea? Don’t walk away… from me! ⸻ Verse 2 Every little promise that you made was true At least that’s what I believed in you Now I see the truth in every move you make And it’s more than my heart can take (Backing) Oh no… I gave you love that was strong and deep Now you’re givin’ me nothin’ but broken dreams And I’m standin’ here with these empty hands Tryin’ to understand ⸻ Chorus ⸻ [Break – stop-time, drums + tambourine] (Lead – spoken, intense) Wait a minute… wait a minute! You mean to tell me… After all this time… You can just walk out that door?! (Horns hit — band slams back in) ⸻ Bridge (emotional peak) (Lead) If you’re leavin’, take the pain with you Take these nights I won’t get through Take the dreams we built so high Don’t leave me here to wonder why (Backing – rising) Why… why… why… (Lead – pushing harder) I can’t make it on my own! (Backing) Not alone! (Lead) This house don’t feel like home! (Backing) No home! ⸻ [Instrumental Break – horns + rhythm hits] (tight Motown-style riffs, building tension) ⸻ Breakdown (call & response) (Lead) Say you’ll stay! (Backing) Stay! (Lead) Don’t go away! (Backing) Stay! (Lead) If you hear me, let me know! (Backing) Ohhh! (Lead) Don’t you leave me so alone! (Backing) No! ⸻ Final Chorus (biggest, rawest) (Lead – full power) DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME! (Backing) Don’t walk away! (Lead) DON’T YOU LEAVE ME IN MISERY! (Backing) Stay! (Lead) I’M DOWN ON MY KNEES, CAN’T YOU SEE? DON’T WALK AWAY… FROM ME! ⸻ Outro (ad libs, band hits, fade or stop) (Lead ad libs) Don’t leave me… no, no… I gave you everything… everything… (Backing) Don’t walk away… (Lead – final shout) DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME! (Band hit — stop)
