Verse 1

I’ve been standing by your side a long, long time

Learning how to read between your lines

Shared late nights, familiar rooms

You say I’m home, and I want that too

But there’s a name you say too slow

Like it carries weight you don’t let go

A pause before you answer calls

A truth rearranged so it won’t fall

Pre-Chorus

You say it’s nothing, say it’s clean

But nothing leans the way this leans

Chorus

I’m living in the shadow of her ghost

Of a love you never touched but wanted most

I’m right here now, but I feel so close

To something standing in between us both

You chose this life, still I know

I’m living in the shadow of her ghost

Verse 2

You call him a friend, that’s what you say

But friends don’t move in careful ways

Missed calls, stories bending shape

Every move designed to look okay

You tell him things you soften for me

Give him parts you won’t let me see

And he knows I know, I feel it clear

So you both pretend when I’m near

Pre-Chorus

Careful steps, no wrong move

Like love pretending it never grew

Chorus

I’m living in the shadow of her ghost

Of a road you almost walked the most

Your eyes check mine when he gets close

Like I might see what you don’t show

You missed your moment, you both know

And I’m living in the shadow of her ghost

Bridge

When we’re all together, I play my role

Smiling while I’m losing ground I hold

I watch you watch me watch you speak

In the corner of the room, quiet, weak

Your hellos last a second too long

Your goodbyes hum an old, old song

You talk about what never was

Like a door still warm from love

Break

(soft)

Some days I’m strong

Some days I’m numb

Some nights the silence weighs a ton

Chorus

(stripped back)

I’m living in the shadow of her ghost

Not someone gone, just something close

A “what if” breathing down my throat

I stay, I choose, I hold my post

You feel my ache, you pull me close

Still I’m living in the shadow of her ghostYou say “trust me” when you say his name

Try to light the dark I’m standing in

And I love you enough to stay

Even when the shadow doesn’t fade

Yeah, I love you enough to stay

Living in the shadow…

Of her ghost