ALORÆ // WHO HOLDS ME? [Intro — solo piano, delicate, unhurried] [Verse 1 — soft, almost conversational] Noxie’s got her ghosts to lose Vyra’s out with someone new I tell them both to have their fun Then close the door when everyone’s gone There’s a glass beside the keys Someone left it there for me I could call them back tonight But they’re happy And that’s alright [Verse 2 — gentle, restrained] I’ve watched a hundred summers end Seen strangers fall in love again They make their promises so young Like time’s a thing they can outrun I could give somebody years Hold them close and mean it, dear But I’d still be standing there When all that’s left Is an empty chair [Chorus — emotional, voice opens naturally] Who holds me When the night gets long? Who knows me When the lights are gone? I can carry everyone I can make it look so easy But when there’s no one left to save Who holds me? [Verse 3 — quieter, almost whispered] I don’t envy what they have Not the heartbreak, not the past I just wonder what it’s like To have somebody stay the night Not for pleasure, not for show Just someone I can call my own Someone who could see me cry And wouldn’t ask me why [Chorus — fuller piano chords, no additional instruments] Who holds me When the night gets long? Who knows me When the lights are gone? I can carry everyone I can make it look so easy But when there’s no one left to save Who holds me? [Bridge — piano slows, vulnerable, nearly spoken] They say forever’s beautiful They say it like they know But I’ve seen what forever does To the ones who can’t grow old And maybe I’m a coward For never letting someone in But I don’t think I could bear To watch it happen again [Final Chorus — raw, restrained, slight vocal break] Who holds me When the years go by? Who’ll know me When a thousand more have died? I don’t need somebody To promise me eternity Just once I’d like to close my eyes And know somebody’s there for me [Outro — piano becomes sparse] Vyra will be home by morning Noxie knows I’m always here I’ll tell them both I slept just fine [pause] I wonder if they’d hear [Final piano chord — let it decay naturally]
