[Entirely a cappella; 70 BPM; G major; 4/4] [Warm baritone lead; deep chest-bass accompaniment; soft male harmony trio] [Bass repeats the same four-beat pattern throughout: doom, ba-doom, bum, bum] [Expressive lead glissandos; wide vibrato on sustained endings] [Intro — bass alone for two bars, then lead] (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) Leave the light beside your door, Let me knock there once more. [Verse 1 — intimate baritone; bass continues underneath] You left my jacket on the chair, I went back twice—you weren't there. Your coffee cooled beside the sink; I stood there longer than you'd think. I had my speech all worked out fine, Then lost it at your laundry line. Your blue dress swaying in the breeze Brought a grown man to his knees. [Chorus — close three-part harmony answers the lead] Leave the light, leave the light, I won't ask to stay all night. Let me say what I got wrong, I've been proud for far too long. Keep the chain across the door, You don't owe me any more. If there's one chance left tonight, Leave the light. (Leave the light) [Vocal turnaround — four bars; deep bass prominent] (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) (Ooh-wah, ooh-wah) (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) (Ooh-wah, ooh-wah) [Verse 2 — stronger chest voice; restrained harmony] Your brother met me on the stairs, He said, “You think she knows you care?” I couldn't look him in the eye; I'd made her wait, then called her shy. You asked for Sunday afternoon; I said I'd call, then called too soon To hear a stranger calmly say, “She packed her things and went away.” [Chorus — fuller harmony; bass pattern unchanged] Leave the light, leave the light, I won't ask to stay all night. Let me say what I got wrong, I've been proud for far too long. Keep the chain across the door, You don't owe me any more. If there's one chance left tonight, Leave the light. (Leave the light) [Bridge — harmony drops out; lead and bass only] I used to laugh when lovers cried, Then took the long way home and tried. Now every word I wouldn't say Keeps me awake till break of day. [Wordless vocal interlude — eight bars] [Baritone melodic glissandos answered by harmony trio; bass ostinato continues] (Ooh… ah… ooh-wah) (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) (Ooh… ah… ooh-wah) (Doom, ba-doom, bum, bum) [Final chorus — emotional peak; broad vibrato, no shouting] Leave the light, leave the light, I'll be standing there tonight. Let me say what I got wrong, I've been proud for far too long. Keep the chain across the door, You don't owe me any more. If there's one chance left tonight, Leave the light. (Leave the light) [Outro — soften gradually; bass continues] If you want me gone, I'll go, Just don't leave me guessing so. If your answer's still goodbye, Tell me looking in my eye. [Lead holds final note; harmonies resolve softly] Leave the light. (Ooh-wah) [Final low bass tonic] (Doom)
