This Empty Chair

Lyrics

[Intro] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, breathy humming, G2–C3, p] (Hmm...) (Oh Lord...) [Verse 1] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, close-mic intimacy and heavy vibrato, G2–C4, p–mp] The clock upon the mantel strikes a quarter past three I sit alone and wonder where my darling could be The shadows on the ceiling only bring me to despair Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Chorus] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, emotional swells, A2–E4, mf + Backing Vocals — Male vocal ensemble, stacked close harmonies, C3–G4, mf] Oh darling, I am crying since the day we had to part I listen for those footsteps and it breaks my aching heart The tears are falling softly and it's more than I can bear Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Verse 2] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, conversational and rubato, G2–D4, mp] I walk across the room and turn on the hallway light I whisper out to heaven in the middle of the night I reach across the pillow but I find nobody there Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Chorus] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, desperate and pleading, A2–E4, mf + Backing Vocals — Male vocal ensemble, gospel-tinged unison doubles, C3–G4, mf] Oh darling, I am crying since the day we had to part I listen for those footsteps and it breaks my aching heart The tears are falling softly and it's more than I can bear Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Verse 3] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, deeply melancholic and drawn-out, G2–E4, mp–mf] The morning sun is rising but it brings no joy to me I only see the sorrow of the way things used to be I send a desperate prayer into the cold and heavy air Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Chorus] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, full voice with heavy vibrato, B2–E4, f + Backing Vocals — Male vocal ensemble, sweeping lush harmonies, C3–A4, f] Oh darling, I am crying since the day we had to part I listen for those footsteps and it breaks my aching heart The tears are falling softly and it's more than I can bear Just staring at the silence and this empty chair [Outro] [Lead Vocal — Male baritone, fading and breathy, G2–C4, p] Just staring at the silence... And this empty chair... (Oh Lord...) This empty chair...