lifeblood: songs: lyrics: 11th untitled song

this world is big
(this world is big)
and so awake
(and so awake)
i stayed up late
(i stayed up late)
to hear your voice
this light is here
(this light is here)
to keep you warm
(to keep you warm)
this song is here
(this song is here)
to keep you strong

i made a list
of things to say
and all i want to say
(but all i want)
all really want to say is
(it's all i want)
hold her
(i made a list)
keep her strong
(of things to say)
(but all i want)
while i'm away from here
(it's all i want)

hold her
((unknown))
and keep her strong
(and so awake)
(i stayed up late)
while i'm away from here
(to hear your voice)
hold him
(this light is here)
keep him strong
(to keep you warm)
(this song is here)
while i'm away from here
(to keep you strong)

i've seen the world
and so awake
and stay up late
(keep her strong)
to hear me sing
just hold her
i've seen the world
and so-awake
(keep him strong)
and stay up late
to hear me sing
just hold him

hold her
(i've see the world)
(and so awake)
keep her strong
(and stay up late to here me sing)
(here me sing)
while i'm away from here
(hold her)
(to hear me sing)
hold him
(i've see the world)
(and so awake)
keep him strong
(and stay up late to here me sing)
(here me sing)
while i'm away from here
(hold him)
(to hear us sing)

hold her
(i've see the world)
(and so awake)
keep her strong
(and stay up late to here me sing)
(here me sing)
while i'm away from here
(hold her)
(to hear me sing)
hold him
(i've see the world)
(and so awake)
keep him strong
(and stay up late to here me sing)
(here me sing)
while i'm away from here
(hold him)
(to hear me sing)

hold me
keep me strong
keep me strong

words and music by bill berry, peter buck, mike mills, and michael stipe
as performed with michael stipe september 25, 1988 at the athens music festival in athens, georgia