Songs for Ahmed

Verse 1

The caravan was rocking on its wheels Plates stacked high, the whole thing swayed You laughed until the table shook Nobody cared how the night got spread

Chorus

Ahmed, stand up, let the horns come in Somebody's clapping, somebody's grinned We came here just to make you glad Ahmed, this whole room lifts for you instead

Verse 2

You handed round the paper plates Made sure that everyone got fed There's always room for one more chair When you're the one who's at the head

Pre-chorus

Count the candles, count the years Somebody's reaching for the mic We're not finished yet, not close

Chorus

Ahmed, stand up, let the horns come in Somebody's clapping, somebody's grinned We came here just to make you glad Ahmed, this whole room lifts for you instead

Bridge

However far this old van's rolled You kept us warm, you kept us close Nobody else could hold a room The way you do, the way you always chose

Chorus

Ahmed, stand up, let the horns come in Somebody's clapping, somebody's grinned We came here just to make you glad Ahmed, this whole room lifts for you instead

Outro

Stack the plates, the night's not done We'll toast you till the candles spread

Verse 1

Chairs pulled out just for tonight Someone strung the bulbs up bright You walk in and hush the noise Every face lights up with joy

Pre-chorus

We saved the middle seat for you Turned the speakers up on cue Count it down, the night's not through

Chorus

Ahmed, tonight is yours instead Every song we sing gets said Cake is cut and candles spread Ahmed, throw your hands, go ahead

Verse 2

Someone taped a sign up high Balloons keep drifting to the sky You laugh and the whole room turns This is the night that's yours, it burns

Chorus

Ahmed, tonight is yours instead Every song we sing gets said Cake is cut and candles spread Ahmed, throw your hands, go ahead

Bridge

However far you've been and led We circle back around you instead One more year, one more year ahead Ahmed, this crowd showed up for Ahmed

Chorus

Ahmed, tonight is yours instead Every song we sing gets said Cake is cut and candles spread Ahmed, throw your hands, go ahead

Outro

Lights go low, the chairs still stand Happy birthday, held in this hand

Verse 1

Fog was thick on the window glass Riding home in the back that night You traced a heart with your thumb And the whole bus filled with light

Pre-chorus

Every year you keep on giving Warmth that spreads through frozen rooms Now it's time we start the lifting

Chorus

Ahmed, stand up, let it be said This is your day, wear the crown Clap your hands, Ahmed, lift your head We are so glad you're around

Verse 2

You held doors when no one asked you Carried tired hearts to bed Never counted what it cost you You just showed up, and you led

Bridge

So let the whole room sing it loud Let every voice come find you here Nothing about you goes unnoticed Not on this day, not on any year

Chorus

Ahmed, stand up, let it be said This is your day, wear the crown Clap your hands, Ahmed, lift your head We are so glad you're around

Outro

The glass has cleared, the road rolls on We're glad it brought us here, to you

Verse 1

Two hands reached out at once One tin of soup, one small chance You laughed and let me take it home But something stayed, I wasn't alone

Chorus

Ahmed, you turned a shelf into a start Small as it was, it opened up my heart Ahmed, I keep on reaching back to then That aisle, that light, that moment we met

Verse 2

I still shop slower down that row Half hoping for a chance to know If you'd reach out again for me Or if that once was meant to be

Pre-chorus

I don't need grand or wide or new Just steady hands that reach for you And stay right there when the day is through

Chorus

Ahmed, you turned a shelf into a start Small as it was, it opened up my heart Ahmed, I keep on reaching back to then That aisle, that light, that moment we met

Bridge

Some loves arrive with thunder, fire, flame Ours came quiet, wearing no name Just two hands and one tin of soup And somehow that was proof enough

Chorus

Ahmed, you turned a shelf into a start Small as it was, it opened up my heart Ahmed, I keep on reaching back to then That aisle, that light, that moment we met

Outro

Still that tin sits on my shelf I chose you, and I'd choose myself

Verse 1

Wet leaves stuck to both our boots Left them there and went inside You laughed and pulled me close instead Some nights I still feel that tide

Pre-chorus

I don't need the grand or bright Just your hand and the porch light Something's building, holding fast

Chorus

Ahmed, you're the calm I've read Every line leads back to you Steady heart and steady, Ahmed Nothing here I wouldn't do

Verse 2

Mud tracked in across the floor You just smiled and let it be Every mess feels less like mess When you're the one right next to me

Bridge

No need for the perfect scene Just the doorway, just the days Quiet love is still the deepest Simple words, but true always

Chorus

Ahmed, you're the calm I've read Every line leads back to you Steady heart and steady, Ahmed Nothing here I wouldn't do

Outro

Leaves still stick to both our boots Still I'd choose this exact same door

Verse 1

Suds slide down the stainless tap Your elbow rests on mine I wasn't looking for this much But here we are, still in line

Pre-chorus

Nothing here is loud or new Just water running slow And I keep choosing you

Chorus

Ahmed, you steady me like nothing else has Small hours turn to gold I'd pick this quiet over any fire Ahmed, this is worth more than I was told

Verse 2

Some days we don't say much at all Just pass the soap, the bread You laugh at something only you can see And I love what goes on in your head

Chorus

Ahmed, you steady me like nothing else has Small hours turn to gold I'd pick this quiet over any fire Ahmed, this is worth more than I was told

Bridge

Let the years come easy or come hard I'll still want this same small room Your hands under running water Are the truest thing I've known

Chorus

Ahmed, you steady me like nothing else has Small hours turn to gold I'd pick this quiet over any fire Ahmed, this is worth more than I was told

Outro

Long after the water's run clear I'll still feel you standing here

Verse 1

The wind is rattling soft against the old brick chimney stack The last of the fire is turning gently into grey Nothing in this house is asking you for anything tonight Close your eyes now, warmth is settling in to stay

Chorus

Hush now, Ahmed, the whole wide house is holding you Ahmed, the dark is only quiet wrapped around your bed Nothing out there can reach you where you're lying You are the softest thing this tired night has fed

Verse 2

Ash falls slow and settles down without a single sound Everything wild outside has nowhere left to go You are held here closer than the embers to the grate Sleep is a blanket, easy, heavy, warm and slow

Pre-chorus

Somewhere a small flame is folding itself down to rest Somewhere the wind gives up its rattling overhead Let it go quiet now, let your breathing follow

Chorus

Hush now, Ahmed, the whole wide house is holding you Ahmed, the dark is only quiet wrapped around your bed Nothing out there can reach you where you're lying You are the softest thing this tired night has fed

Bridge

No one is going anywhere while you are sleeping here Every small sound is only the house breathing instead You don't need to hold on to anything but stillness

Chorus

Hush now, Ahmed, the whole wide house is holding you Ahmed, the dark is only quiet wrapped around your bed Nothing out there can reach you where you're lying You are the softest thing this tired night has fed

Outro

The ash has settled soft and grey, the wind has laid its head Sleep on now, Ahmed, safe and warm inside your bed

Verse 1

A small yellow bulb hums soft above the stair Its light falls warm on the carpet's worn old flair Every step tonight is one that I have led And you are held closer than you know, right there

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is breathing slow for you Nothing in the dark tonight can reach for you Ahmed, close your eyes now, let the hours spread I will stay right here until the morning's new

Verse 2

The hallway light hums low, it never sleeps at all Watching over small feet climbing up the hall You are the reason every lamp stays lit instead Of leaving you alone to face the shadows' call

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the stairs have gone quiet beneath our feet Nothing tonight can follow us to where we sleep So let the hum fade soft as I tuck you into bed

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is breathing slow for you Nothing in the dark tonight can reach for you Ahmed, close your eyes now, let the hours spread I will stay right here until the morning's new

Bridge

No need to count the shadows on the wall Every one of them is smaller than you are You are the warmest thing this house has ever held So rest now, let the quiet carry you afar

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is breathing slow for you Nothing in the dark tonight can reach for you Ahmed, close your eyes now, let the hours spread I will stay right here until the morning's new

Outro

The bulb still hums soft above the sleeping stair But you have gone where nothing needs to be feared

Verse 1

Dust is drifting slowly down a hallway thin and gold Every speck of light is floating soft and unafraid You are held here closer than this house has ever told Nothing in the shadows now can touch you, Ahmed

Pre-chorus

The hush is gathering gently at your door tonight Every worry folds itself and quietly lets go Come and follow this small trembling line of light

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is holding its breath for you Sleep is a river and you are drifting to bed Nothing can follow where this warm light leads you through Rest now, Ahmed, there is nothing to dread

Verse 2

The beam moves slower than a hand that smooths your hair Somewhere a door clicks soft and lets the evening in You are the quiet that this whole house wants to share Sleep is a blanket that was always your to win

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is holding its breath for you Sleep is a river and you are drifting to bed Nothing can follow where this warm light leads you through Rest now, Ahmed, there is nothing to dread

Bridge

Every small sound has gone to sleep before you Even the light has laid its head down soft and low

Chorus

Ahmed, the whole house is holding its breath for you Sleep is a river and you are drifting to bed Nothing can follow where this warm light leads you through Rest now, Ahmed, there is nothing to dread

Outro

The hallway settles into gold and then to grey You are the light this house was keeping anyway