“Weight of the World”

[Intro – 0:00–0:20] (muffled piano, faint background vocals)
(William singing softly)
I don’t speak much, but I feel it all…
Holdin’ up more than they ever saw…
---
[Verse 1 – 0:20–0:50]
They say I’m solid, say I’m strong,
But never asked me what was wrong.
Walk through fire with my fists clenched tight,
Can’t let ‘em see me break at night.
Keep it quiet, play my part,
But this silence tear my soul apart.
Too many buried memories in my head,
And I still talk to ghosts when I lay in bed.
---
[Pre-Hook – 0:50–1:10]
Still I fight, still I rise,
Even if I’m fallin’ inside…
And they don’t see how deep I bled,
Actin’ fine when I’m hangin’ by a thread…
---
[Hook – 1:10–1:40] (powerful harmonies come in)
I’m holdin’ the weight of the world,
On a back that’s crackin’, but I never fold.
They need me to be the light,
But I’m barely survivin’ the night.
If I cry in the dark, will I still be a man?
If I fall, will they understand?
I’m holdin’ the weight of the world…
But who’s holdin’ me?
---
[Verse 2 – 1:40–2:10]
Put love in every step I take,
But love ain't always what it claims.
Gave 'em all of me, they took what’s left,
Now I talk to God with shaky breath.
Pain in my chest, don't show no face,
Still protectin’ mine with all my grace.
Ain’t no weakness in feelin’ low —
I just learn to move when the hurt won’t go.
---
[Bridge – 2:10–2:40] (spoken-word style, low and raw)
Sometimes I dream of peace…
Where the guns don’t fire and the past don’t speak.
Where my worth ain’t weighed by what I give,
But just by the fact that I still live…
---
[Final Hook – 2:40–3:10]
I’m holdin’ the weight of the world,
Still tryin’ to smile like it don’t burn.
I’m tired of bein’ strong for all,
When inside I’m tryna break my fall.
If I vanish in the night, will they see me then?
Will they care like they pretend?
I’m holdin’ the weight of the world…
But who’s holdin’ me?

Mood: Vulnerable, reflective, haunting
Instruments: Reverb-heavy piano, ambient pads, soft guitar plucks, distant vocal