Track 9 of the album Write Me Back by Sunday · 2026
Before the Curtain Goes Up, Breathe
by Nina Vale
“Standing in the wings with cold hands and a drum for a heart. It's the last song because that breath is where every show begins and ends.”
jazz-pop · jazz-pop · anthem soul · 3:39
Lyrics
Standing in the wings with my hands gone cold Heart like a drum, and the room's gone bold Somebody's whispering, five minutes more I smooth my dress and I look at the door All the years I've sung to the empty hall Now the hall is full, and I'm small, so small Before the curtain goes up, breathe Let the shaking turn to something you believe Before the curtain goes up, breathe You were made for this, so don't you leave It's only nerves, it's only light It's only a song you know by heart tonight Before the curtain goes up, breathe Mama's in the third row, waving her hat Daddy's got his pocket watch, tapping that The piano plays the opening bar And I remember who I really are All the years I've sung to the empty hall Now the hall is full, and I'm small, so small Before the curtain goes up, breathe Let the shaking turn to something you believe Before the curtain goes up, breathe You were made for this, so don't you leave It's only nerves, it's only light It's only a song you know by heart tonight Before the curtain goes up, breathe Oh, the fear and the joy are the very same thing Dressed up differently to make you sing Step into the light, open up your voice There was never any other choice Before the curtain goes up, breathe Let the shaking turn to something you believe Before the curtain goes up, breathe You were made for this, so don't you leave It's only nerves, it's only light It's only a song you know by heart tonight Before the curtain goes up, breathe Breathe Before the curtain goes up Breathe