Maria, Stay With Me — Extended Version

Intro (soft, warm atmosphere)
The night is calm, the world is slow
Only your name is all I know
(Maria… Maria…)
A gentle light inside my heart
Where every dream of love can start

Verse 1
Maria, in the quiet of the morning light
Your smile turns the grey sky bright
Soft as a whisper, gentle and true
Every road I walk leads back to you

Backing vocals (soft oohs behind lines):
(Ooh… Maria… Ooh… stay with me…)

Pre-Chorus
And when the world is cold and far
You’re my lantern, you’re my star

Backing vocals:
(You’re my star… my guiding star…)

Chorus
Maria, stay with me tonight
Hold my heart so close and tight
Every breath, every dream I see
Lives inside your memory
Maria, don’t let go of me
Love is where we’re meant to be

Backing vocals (call & response):
(Maria… stay with me…)
(Don’t let go… don’t let go…)

Verse 2
Maria, when you take my hand
Time slows down like golden sand
Your voice is calm, your touch is kind
A quiet song inside my mind

Backing vocals (soft harmonies):
(Ooh… inside my mind…)

Pre-Chorus
Even when the days grow old
Our story’s written in pure gold

Backing vocals:
(Pure gold… our love is gold…)

Chorus
Maria, stay with me tonight
Hold my heart so close and tight
Every breath, every dream I see
Lives inside your memory
Maria, don’t let go of me
Love is where we’re meant to be

Backing vocals:
(Stay… stay… stay with me…)

Bridge (emotional, intimate)
If seasons change and shadows fall
I’ll still answer when you call
Maria, you’re my home, my way
In your arms I’ll always stay

Backing vocals (rising harmonies):
(Always… always… stay…)

Final Chorus (full, warm, choir-like ending)
Maria, stay with me tonight
Through the calm and through the light
Every moment, endlessly
You are love, and love is me

Backing vocals (layered, gentle):
(Maria… stay with me…)
(You are love… you are love…)
(Stay… with… me…)