[Intro — close voice; rope creaks over a low bass note] “Hold this. Right there. I’ll get something.” [Verse 1 — restrained, dry; a slow, heavy pulse] Two screws pulled out of the timber. The cleat came loose in your hand. I caught the rope while you caught the frame. We got it level again. You went out to find a replacement. I planted my feet on the floor. The radio finished the song we were singing. I watched for you through the door. [Pre-Chorus — the guitar strains upward] First it was, “He’ll be right back.” Then it was, “I’ve held it this long.” [Chorus — broad, heavy, intelligible] Nothing moved. Nothing fell. Same pencil mark. I held it well. What’d you get done? I got it to stay. Nothing moved. There went the day. [Verse 2 — more friction in the voice] Could’ve called you after the first song. Could’ve lowered it down by the news. But you’d walk in just as it touched the floor, And we’d have all that lifting to do. So I gave you another minute. Then another one after that. The phone kept buzzing against my leg. I let it buzz. You’d be right back. My coffee sat where you left it. A fly worked the edge of the cup. I started composing the things I would say. Every version began with “You—” [Pre-Chorus — clipped; rising pressure] It wasn’t too heavy to carry. It wasn’t too far to the floor. I could explain the first ten minutes. I stayed for forty more. [Chorus — stronger; the last words nearly break] Nothing moved. Nothing fell. Same pencil mark. I held it well. What’d you get done? I got it to stay. Nothing moved. There went the day. [Bridge — bass and one dry kick; a second voice enters] “You’ve been standing there this whole time?” “You said you’d be right back.” “We could’ve set it down.” “We’d have to start again.” “We still have to finish.” “I know.” [Long breath] “My hands are fucking burning.” “I believe you. Now what?” [One full bar of silence] [Quietly] “Help me put it down.” [Full band returns at the original tempo; heavy, without a triumphant resolution] [Verse 3 — exposed voice against the weight] You took the other end. We brought it slowly to the floor. You went to get the fittings. I stayed beside the door. The rope was lying at my feet. My hand still held its shape. I tried to spread my fingers. They opened halfway. You asked if I could pass the screws. I said, “Give me a second.” [Final Chorus — two distinct voices over the same bass note] [Lead] Nothing moved. Nothing fell. [Second voice] Nothing moved. Nothing’s done. [Lead] I kept it where You said to hold. [Second voice] I know you did. We’re losing sun. [Both] What’d you get done? [Lead] I got it to stay. [Second voice] We’ve still got to hang it. [Lead] I know. I stayed. [Outro — instruments fall away until only the bass remains] It took all of me. You waited. I picked up the screws. [The bass stops before resolving]
