[Verse 1]
Late-night kitchen, coffee gone cold,
I washed the plates, held the phone you wouldn't hold.
You left your jacket on my chair at dawn,
I wrapped it tighter while you were already gone.
You called J at two, said you needed someone,
J answered quick — you had someone when I was the one.
I sat through storms while you chased the light,
Stayed by your window till you turned out the night.
[Pre-Chorus]
I reached across the silence, you let it stay,
Small things I did piled up and slipped away.
I held the pieces when your hands let go,
Lost in the quiet when you walked out the door.
[Chorus]
I was there, you were never there.
I was kind, you were rude, I was always there.
I was there, you were never there.
Tears I wiped, nights I shared — you were never there.
[Verse 2]
I drove you home when your words were blunt and tired,
Sat on the curb while your anger caught fire.
I learned your habits, sat through every ache,
Kept every promise though you were quick to break.
You told me secrets that you told to J too,
Same late laugh, same old excuse — I stayed, but you flew.
I traded time for a weight you never felt,
Left with quiet palms from every card I dealt.
[Pre-Chorus]
I gave my voice to hush your fear at night,
You closed your door, left me fixing the light.
I was the map you folded up and lost,
I paid the cost, I paid the cost.
[Chorus]
I was there, you were never there.
I was kind, you were rude, I was always there.
I was there, you were never there.
Tears I wiped, nights I shared — you were never there.
[Bridge]
I burned your name on a match and watched it go,
Silver flame to ash, then the wind learned me slow.
I picked up the pieces of my Sunday shoes,
Stepped out of the shadow of your faded truths.
I won't hold the phone for a call that never comes,
I won't be the harbor for a ship that always runs.
[Chorus — Variation]
I was there — yes, I was there.
I was kind, you were rude, and I was always there.
I was there — you were never there.
Tears I wiped, nights I shared — now I won't be waiting there.
[Outro]
I was there too, but I won't be there again,
Strong and soft, I'm closing that old windowpane.
I was there too — I was there too,
Finally learning what it means to be there for me.
Production notes: Warm Rhodes piano underpins verses, brushed snare and upright bass for a steady pocket. String swells lift the chorus; backing gospel-style harmonies enter on the final chorus. Soft electric guitar licks in the bridge; sparse percussion and a restrained horn in the outro to underline resolve.
