Lyrics

[Verse 1 — Warm Smoky Tenor]
My baby gone, where could she be?
I been asking every streetlight what it seen
Calling her name through the hurt in my chest
Like my voice might bring her back to me
I didn’t mean to cut you that deep
Didn’t mean to make your soft heart leave
I was talking like a fool with a bruised-up pride
Now the silence got its hands on me
Girl, I know I said too much
Let my anger wear my face
Now I’d trade every stubborn word
For one more second in your space
[Pre-Chorus — Intimate Rise]
You don’t have to stay forever
I won’t ask for all your time
Just come close enough to see me
And let me apologize
[Chorus — Passionate Chest Voice]
Baby, smile for me
Just once before you go
Let me see that sweet little mercy
I been missing in my soul
Baby, smile for me
Even if you can’t stay long
I’ll take a moment of your sunshine
Over a lifetime with you gone
[Verse 2 — Conversational, Raspy Edge]
I been walking past our old places
Looking crazy, talking low
Asking strangers, “Have you seen her?”
Like they know what I let go
Has anybody seen my girl?
Tell her this man ain’t been the same
Tell her pride done left the building
And regret done learned her name
I miss you, honey, that’s the truth
Ain’t no cool way I can say it
I broke something I should’ve protected
Now my own heart gotta pay it
If forgiveness got a window
Leave it open just a crack
I’ll crawl through humble, no excuses
Just to bring your smile back
[Pre-Chorus — Bluesy Bend]
You don’t have to hold me
You don’t have to kiss my face
Just let me stand before you
And own every hurt I made
[Chorus — Stacked Harmonies]
Baby, smile for me
Just once before you go
Let me see that sweet little mercy
I been missing in my soul
Baby, smile for me
Even if you can’t stay long
I’ll take a moment of your sunshine
Over a lifetime with you gone
[Bridge — Gospel-Rooted Plea]
I was a fool, can you forgive me?
Can you hear me through this pain?
I’m screaming out to anybody
Who might’ve passed you in the rain
Tell her please come back a little
Not to make forever clear
Just a breath, just a second
Just enough to know she’s near
I don’t need to win the story
I don’t need to save my pride
I just need to see her smile
Before I lose my mind tonight
[Final Chorus — Emotional Lift]
Baby, smile for me
Let that sweetness touch my eyes
I been living with the damage
Of the tears I made you cry
Baby, smile for me
I’ll remember it if you leave
But if your heart still feels me calling
Please come back to me
[Outro — Soft Falsetto and Ad-Libs]
Mmm… baby, please
I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings
I was wrong, I was blind
Now your absence got me kneeling
Has anybody seen my girl?
Tell her I’m not hard no more
Tell her I only need a little while
Just to see my baby smile once more