Track 2 of the album One More Verse Before the Lights Come Up · 2026
Walk Straight Past the Doubters, Love
by Wren Hallett
“I carried a songbook in a paper bag past the laughing crowd and sang anyway. This one is for anyone who needs permission.”
xinyao · xinyao-tinged folk · confident folk · 3:39
Lyrics
I carried a songbook in a paper bag Past the noisy corner, past the laughing crowd My knees were shaking but my chin was up And I walked on like I had somewhere to be The old stage creaked beneath my borrowed shoes The microphone was warmer than I thought I opened up my mouth and let it come One honest line was all it took Walk straight past the doubters, love The road is wide enough for you Walk straight past the doubters, love You know the song, you know it's true You don't need to shout, you don't need to hide Just keep your steady step and keep it kind Walk straight past the doubters, love There's sunshine on the other side A friend was in the back row, mouthing every word She clapped before the verse was done I felt the whole room soften like a blanket And I knew I had been heard Walk straight past the doubters, love The road is wide enough for you Walk straight past the doubters, love You know the song, you know it's true You don't need to shout, you don't need to hide Just keep your steady step and keep it kind Walk straight past the doubters, love There's sunshine on the other side Quiet isn't small and slow isn't weak Gentle voices still can speak Take a breath and take your place There's room for you in every space Walk straight past the doubters, love The road is wide enough for you Walk straight past the doubters, love You know the song, you know it's true You don't need to shout, you don't need to hide Just keep your steady step and keep it kind Walk straight past the doubters, love There's sunshine on the other side Paper bag and a steady stride Sunshine on the other side Walk on, love, walk on