[72–78 BPM (slow ballad feel)] [Key: G Major or A Major (warm, emotional register for vocals)] [Time Signature: 4/4] [Overall Arc: Starts soft and intimate → builds in the second chorus → full emotional lift in the bridge & final chorus → gentle fade.] [(Overall Arc: Starts soft and intimate → builds in the second chorus → full emotional lift in the bridge & final chorus → gentle fade.] [Detailed Section-by-Section Arrangement) [Intro – 0:00–0:12] [Instruments:] [Fingerpicked acoustic guitar (capo 3 for brightness if in G) – warm, open chords Light pedal steel swells for atmosphere. Soft brush snare taps on beats 2 and 4] [Feel: Intimate, almost like you’re sitting right in front of the singer] [Production Tip: Keep reverb warm and subtle, create a “late-night on the porch” vibe] [Verse 1 – 0:13–0:42] [[Lead Vocals: Gentle, breathy, with emotional pauses] [Instruments: Acoustic guitar still fingerpicking Very light upright bass (played with a bow for soft warmth) Fiddle enters quietly halfway through, sustaining long, airy notes] [Dynamic: Low volume, storyteller tone] [Backing Vocals: None yet — keep it vulnerable] [First Chorus – 0:43–1:05] [Build Begins:] [Acoustic guitar shifts to soft strumming Upright bass switches to plucked notes] [Verse 1] I’ve been staring at the ceiling. Instead of sheep, I'm counting my heart beats. Every dream I have somehow leads me right back to where you are I’ve tried to hide it, Lord knows I’ve tried But the truth keeps burning like a fire inside I lay awake at night wondering if you think of me. Feeling so displaced, I don’t know how to just be. This love for you needs to be released, so we can love ever so freely. [Chorus] Do I wait for the stars to align? Can’t waste anymore of our time Before the ship sails, I would love to make you mine I gotta know, Baby, do you...love me? ’Cause I can’t keep this bottled in I’m standing right here, heart in my hand Baby, do you...love me? [Verse 2] Every sunset’s got your name painted in the sky Every song on the radio makes me close my eyes I can almost feel your touch, hear you call my name If you feel it too, don’t make me wait [Chorus] Do I wait for the stars to align? Can’t waste anymore of our time Before the ship sails, I would love to make you mine I gotta know, Baby, do you...love me? ’Cause I can’t keep this bottled in I’m standing right here, heart in my hand Baby, do you...love me? [Bridge] (soft, almost a whisper) If there’s even a chance that you feel the same Don’t let it slip, don’t let it fade away Love like this don’t come every day [Chorus – Final, bigger and passionate] Do I wait for the stars to align? Can’t waste anymore of our time Before the ship sails, I would love to make you mine I gotta know, Baby, do you...love me? ’Cause I can’t keep this bottled in I’m standing right here, heart in my hand Baby, do you...love me? [Outro] Before the ship sails into the night Tell me, baby….do you...love me?

Before the Ship Sails [Do You Love Me?