Sarah Elizabeth Haines (b. 1990) composed “Losing Game” in 2019 for voice and guitar. The original studio recording can be found on her album Pretending to Sleep. This arrangement, completed in 2021, features the marimba instead of the guitar as the accompanying instrument. The marimba part was adapted for a 5.0 octave by Kyle J. Maxwell-Doherty.

In the original studio recording the vocal part is harmonized in various points throughout the composition. For the purposes of live solo performance, only the main vocal melody is included in the full score. An additional vocal score with the harmonies is also provided if the performer wishes to perform or record the composition with the original harmonies.

For more information about Sarah visit her composer page.

Lyrics

It must be a pretty picture I paint
It’s hard not to laugh for the shame
Hands bloodied from trying to tear down your walls Voice hoarse from calling your name

Tonight I think I’ve learned my lesson Would that it always would be Unseeing eyes cannot lead the blind On deaf ears falls no melody

I can’t wake you if you’re just pretending to sleep Sometimes I try all the same
It’s always a losing game

It’s taken a long while to see
All you are you always must be
I can’t say that it really does much to erase All the heartache you gave to me

Sometimes I make mountains of molehills Sometimes I’m full of clichés
Sometimes you’d rather bury your head in the sand Than hear a word I have to say

I can’t wake you if you’re just pretending to sleep Sometimes I try all the same
It’s always a losing game

Must be a pretty picture I paint
It’s hard not to laugh for the shame
Hands bloodied for trying to tear down your walls Voice hoarse from screaming your name
It’s always a losing game
It’s always a losing game