The Empty Chair
The Child I Used To Be
Intro — Delicate piano, distant strings
Female — Soft, fragile
I used to leave the hallway light on,
Thinking you might come back home.
Male — Quiet
I used to listen for your footsteps,
But the house stayed cold and still.
Verse 1 — Female — Emotional
I remember every birthday,
Every candle, every wish.
I'd watch the other children laughing,
Wondering what I'd done to deserve this.
There was always one place missing,
At the table, by the door.
And I kept believing someday,
You'd come walking through once more.
Verse 2 — Male — Deep, restrained
I remember school assemblies,
Watching fathers standing proud.
While I searched among the faces,
For the one who wasn't in the crowd.
I would tell my friends you travelled,
That you worked so far away.
It was easier than explaining,
Why you never chose to stay.
Pre-Chorus — Both — Building
Female
Was I something you regretted?
Male
Was I someone you forgot?
Both
We were only little children,
Trying to love someone we lost.
Chorus — Both — Soaring emotional rock
THERE'S AN EMPTY CHAIR BESIDE ME,
WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN!
AND A THOUSAND LITTLE MOMENTS,
THAT YOU NEVER CAME TO SEE!
I GREW UP WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS,
THAT YOU NEVER CARED TO HEAR!
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH TIME GOES BY,
THERE'S STILL THAT EMPTY CHAIR!
Verse 3 — Female — Vulnerable
I learned to tie my own shoes,
Learned to dry my own tears.
Learned to smile for photographs,
While pretending you were near.
When somebody said they loved me,
I would wonder when they'd leave.
'Cause the first person who should've stayed,
Taught my heart what not to believe.
Verse 4 — Male — Growing intensity
I remember my first heartbreak,
And the day I learned to drive.
All the moments you were missing,
While I built myself a life.
Now I'm older than you were,
When you turned and walked away.
And I cannot understand it,
Any better than that day.
Chorus — Both — Powerful harmonies
THERE'S AN EMPTY CHAIR BESIDE ME,
WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE ALWAYS BEEN!
AND A THOUSAND LITTLE MOMENTS,
THAT YOU NEVER CAME TO SEE!
I GREW UP WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS,
THAT YOU NEVER CARED TO HEAR!
AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH TIME GOES BY,
THERE'S STILL THAT EMPTY CHAIR!
Bridge — Piano only, intimate
Female — Tearful
I used to think that I was broken,
That I wasn't worth your time.
Male — Gentle
I carried all your choices,
Like the blame was somehow mine.
Female
But I was just a little girl...
Male
And I was just a little boy...
Both — Rising
WE WERE WORTHY OF YOUR LOVE!
WE DESERVED TO FEEL YOUR JOY!
Instrumental — Emotional guitar solo, sweeping strings
Final Chorus — Full orchestral rock, soaring duet
THERE WAS AN EMPTY CHAIR BESIDE ME,
THROUGH THE YEARS I NEEDED YOU!
BUT I'VE LEARNED THAT I AM WORTHY,
OF A LOVE THAT'S STRONG AND TRUE!
AND I CANNOT CHANGE THE STORY,
OR THE YEARS THAT DISAPPEARED!
BUT I'LL BUILD A LIFE WITH PEOPLE,
WHO WILL ALWAYS CHOOSE TO BE HERE!
Outro — Piano and soft strings
Female — Whispered
I don't wait beside the window...
Male — Gentle
I don't listen for the door...
Both — Soft harmonies
There's still an empty chair,
But I'm not waiting anymore.
