(Intro – soft, layered whispers, maybe reversed) If I fade before you wake… Just know it wasn’t because of you. I just got tired of trying to stay. That’s all. ⸻ (Verse 1) I been drifting off slow with a blunt in hand Eyes half-closed, phone full of plans Texts I won’t answer, calls I avoid Smiles I fake just to fill the void Said I’d change, but I never do Burned bridges, now the flame my view I had love, I had trust, I had people who cared Now it’s pills on my nightstand, smoke in the air My girl said, “You been gone even when you here” My bro said, “You alright?”—I said, “Yeah, cheers” But I ain’t okay, and I ain’t been I just lie with a grin and a bottle of sin I hurt the ones that tried to save me Pushed away the ones who gave me Hope when I ain’t had shit Now I ghost ‘em all when I can’t commit ⸻ (Hook – melodic, slow delivery) If I fade before you wake, I’m sorry I ain’t say it I left the love on read, I watched my peace decayin’ If you think of me once, that’s enough to know That I tried to be more than this dark I show If I fade before you wake, don’t cry too long You did your best, but I been too gone I ain’t proud, I ain’t fixed, I ain’t whole I’m just tired of pretending to be in control ⸻ (Verse 2) Still sleepin’ with regret in the bed I made Still dreamin’ ‘bout chances I never take Still chasin’ ghosts I should’ve let go Still hiding shit no one knows I say I’m cool, then I vanish again Pop one tab, then I text fake friends Act like I’m busy when I’m just low Doin’ circles with nowhere to go I lied when I said I’m fine I lied when I smiled online I lied when I kissed her slow She deserved better—I know, I know Got pain I won’t say, shame I won’t show If I die tonight, will they even know? I ain’t tryna make a scene or leave a note I just want the silence to hold my throat ⸻ (Hook – repeat, fuller harmony) If I fade before you wake, I’m sorry I ain’t say it I left the love on read, I watched my peace decayin’ If you think of me once, that’s enough to know That I tried to be more than this dark I show If I fade before you wake, don’t cry too long You did your best, but I been too gone I ain’t proud, I ain’t fixed, I ain’t whole I’m just tired of pretending to be in control ⸻ (Bridge – slow, poetic breakdown) Didn’t mean to hurt you Didn’t mean to lie Didn’t mean to push But I needed space to die Didn’t mean to ghost Didn’t mean to drift Didn’t mean to fade But I can’t fix this ⸻ (Final Hook – layered, with echoes) If I fade before you wake, just hold my name Don’t blame yourself, you ain’t the flame You were the light when I had none But I got tired of outrunnin’ the gun If I fade before you wake, just close your eyes Don’t chase my ghost, don’t feed the lies I’ll be where silence tastes like peace And pain don’t talk, it just… leaves ⸻ (Outro – whispered, fading out) If I fade before you wake… It’s okay. I was never meant to stay.

IF I FADE BEFORE YOU WAKE