[Start] [prelude: muted piano and low strings, ceremonial tension] Yeah… No one here is loud enough to call it what it is [verse: restrained narrative, close detail, steady pulse] I learned early silk can open any room but silk won’t stop a hand that’s made its move The glass stays clean, the deal stays barely smiled I count the exits first, then cross the tile Some men wear mercy like a tailored coat some kiss the rim, then tighten at my throat I kept my posture, kept my record straight and let that hunger teach me how to wait [chorus: earworm hook, clipped and memorable] Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) Beauty gets seen, but nerve gets sold(-ol-ol-old) Hold that line when the room turns gold(-ol-ol-old) Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) (Oh-whoa-oh) Keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) [instrumental break: instrumental turn, bass and piano answer each other] [verse: fuller arrangement, higher stakes, same cadence] I used to think a heart could stay intact if I was smart enough to name the tax But every favor leaves a little mark fine as a pin and working past the dark Now every compliment has weight to it A velvet phrase. A blade inside of it I walk in polish, measured to the wrist and lose one more soft corner when I win [chorus: stronger drums, layered low harmonies] Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) Beauty gets seen, but nerve gets sold(-ol-ol-old) Hold that line when the room turns gold(-ol-ol-old) Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) (Oh-whoa-oh) Keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) [spoken word: intimate monologue, dry and near] "They call it poise"... "because 'damaged'" makes the table nervous"... "They call it class"... "when you can take the cut ... "and never show it"... "They call it power"... "when you stop asking" "what... it... costs"... [breakdown: stripped pulse, breath close in the mic] I can still feel the girl I was thin as perfume on an evening cuff still in me less each season less each season [chorus: full return, biggest hook, added harmonies] Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) Beauty gets seen, but nerve gets sold(-ol-ol-old) Hold that line when the room turns gold(-ol-ol-old) Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) Keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) Yeah When they come close, don’t lose your hold(-ol-ol-old) Keep your chin up, keep one hand cold(-ol-ol-old) [coda: sparse piano, resigned final statement] I got taller I got harder I got what I came for and left death at the door [End]
