The present Nan will play to everyone

• Thank you, Nan

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  CountryNostalgic female vocalsThank you

  A grandchild's thank you to their nan, written from the memories they sent us.

• Hartley's Holiday

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  Acoustic popWarm family vocalsChristmas

  We're the Hartleys: two parents, three kids, one grandma upstairs, and this year we agreed no presents over a tenner, so I'm cheating with a song about us. The Boxing Day walk nobody wants and everyone loves, the annual Monopoly ban, Grandma's sherry measures, Dad's gravy pride. Our ordinary, brilliant Christmas, in a song.

  Read the words

  Verse 1

  Two parents, three kids and a house full of noiseGrandma's up the stairs with her Christmas playlist voiceWe said no presents this year, over a tenner's the ruleSo here's a song instead, cheaper and truer

  Verse 2

  Dad's basting that gravy like it's a national testGuarding the pan like it's the only one he'll ever make best"Just needs one more stir" he says, every single yearWe nod and we let him, we let him, my dear

  Chorus

  This is us, the ordinary, brilliant kindSherry measures from Grandma that'll blow your mindMonopoly's banned again before it can start a warThat's the Hartleys, that's Christmas, that's what we're for

  Verse 3

  Boxing Day walk, nobody wants to goBoots by the door, moaning out in the coldBut we always end up laughing halfway round the greenBest part of the whole day, best thing we've seen

  Chorus

  This is us, the ordinary, brilliant kindSherry measures from Grandma that'll blow your mindMonopoly's banned again before it can start a warThat's the Hartleys, that's Christmas, that's what we're for

  Bridge

  No fortunes wrapped in paper, no bows on topJust Grandma's laugh and Dad's proud gravy potJust cold hands warming after that same old walkJust us, all together, that's worth more than gold

  Chorus

  This is us, the ordinary, brilliant kindSherry measures from Grandma that'll blow your mindMonopoly's banned again before it can start a warThat's the Hartleys, that's Christmas, that's what we're for

  Outro

  So here's to the Hartleys, whatever this year bringsGrandma's sherry, Dad's gravy, all our ordinary thingsNo tenner could buy this, no bow could tie it rightMerry Christmas, Hartleys, sleep tight

• Nana and Grandad's Friday Lullaby, Alfred

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  LullabySoft female voiceOwls

  Our grandson Alfred is four and sleeps over on Fridays: den on the floor of the spare room, strictly non-negotiable. He loves owls, toast cut in triangles, and Nana's stories about his mum being small once. A lullaby from Nana and Grandad for the Friday den, owls included.

  Read the words

  Verse 1

  Friday night and the den is built,Soft little nest with a blanket quilt,Alfred snug as the lamp burns low,Time for the owls to start their glow.

  Refrain

  Hush now Alfred, close your eyes,Owls are waking in soft night skies,Nana's here and Grandad too,Watching over the den with you.

  Verse 2

  Toast in triangles, neat little stack,Crumbs all gone now, tucked in your sack,Round little owls on the curtain rail,Blink very slowly and start to trail.

  Refrain

  Hush now Alfred, close your eyes,Owls are waking in soft night skies,Nana's here and Grandad too,Watching over the den with you.

  Bridge

  Nana tells you, soft and slow,About your mum from long ago,Small as you once, tucked in tight,Dreaming these same dreams goodnight.

  Verse 3

  Owls go hoo now, gentle and low,Rocking the den where the soft lights glow,Friday's ending, sweet and true,Alfred dreaming the whole night through.

  Refrain

  Hush now Alfred, close your eyes,Owls are dozing in quiet skies,Nana's here and Grandad too,Watching over the den with you.

  Outro

  Sleep now Alfred, still and deep,Owls have folded their wings to sleep,Den is warm and the night is kind,Close your eyes now, leave the day behind.

• Thursday Humming for Pearl

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  LullabySoft female voiceBirds

  Our granddaughter Pearl is two and stays with us every Thursday. Bath, warm milk, and Grandad humming something tuneless: the routine is sacred. She loves birds, the word 'again', and Grandad's terrible humming most of all. A proper lullaby for Thursdays, with Pearl's name where the magic goes.

  Read the words

  Verse 1

  Little Pearl, the day is doneBath is warm and Thursday's spunBubbles float and drift awaySoft goodnight to Thursday's day

  Refrain

  Hum, hum, Grandad's humLittle Pearl, sleep will comeBirds are folding up their wingsHush now hush, the quiet sings

  Verse 2

  Warm milk waits in Pearl's own cupLittle sips to settle upFeathers tucked on every birdNot a peep, not one more word

  Refrain

  Hum, hum, Grandad's humLittle Pearl, sleep will comeBirds are folding up their wingsHush now hush, the quiet sings

  Verse 3

  Pearl says "again", so soft and lowGrandad hums it nice and slowSame old tune with no right noteWrapped around you like a coat

  Refrain

  Hum, hum, Grandad's humLittle Pearl, sleep will comeBirds are folding up their wingsHush now hush, the quiet sings

  Bridge

  Again, again, the birds all sayTucking Thursday's light awayLittle Pearl, your eyes grow smallGrandad's hum will hold it all

  Outro

  Hum... hum... little PearlSleepy bird, sleepy girlThursday's here and Thursday's kindClose your eyes now, sleep, and dream

Hear each one with its full story: Christmas gift song · Grandson lullaby · Granddaughter lullaby