Songs for Alina

Verse 1

Boxes stacked up by the chimney Gravel roof but you feel like plenty Every corner that you're standing in Turns into where the night begins

Chorus

Alina, light up this arena Nobody shines the way Alina does You make the whole room feel like family Alina, we celebrate you because you're loved

Verse 2

You climb up where the air gets thinner Still you make the whole block feel like winners Rooftop view but you're the reason We came up here in any season

Pre-chorus

Feel that beat start climbing higher Watch the candles catch like fire Everybody's ready, here it comes

Chorus

Alina, light up this arena Nobody shines the way Alina does You make the whole room feel like family Alina, we celebrate you because you're loved

Bridge

Another year stacked up like boxes Every one of them a gift you carried Whatever comes, however far you travel We'll be right here, never worried

Chorus

Alina, light up this arena Nobody shines the way Alina does You make the whole room feel like family Alina, we celebrate you because you're loved

Outro

Boxes on the roof still standing Just like you, still here, still landing

Verse 1

Foil wrappers catch the wind Midnight on the cold front step Everyone has gone inside Except the joy you always kept

Pre-chorus

Trumpets fade but something stays A warmth that will not leave this place Hold that spark, we're not done yet

Chorus

Alina, light the whole street up Nobody laughs quite like you do Every horn in town will toast you Alina, here's to all of you

Verse 2

Candles gutter, guests all cheer Somebody's dancing on the lawn You keep laughing, keep us here Long after all the songs have gone

Chorus

Alina, light the whole street up Nobody laughs quite like you do Every horn in town will toast you Alina, here's to all of you

Bridge

One more chorus, one more round Nobody wants to leave this ground We'll shout your name until it's hoarse Because you're worth the noise, of course

Chorus

Alina, light the whole street up Nobody laughs quite like you do Every horn in town will toast you Alina, here's to all of you

Outro

Foil scraps blow off down the street Alina, you're the one we keep

Verse 1

Bright lights hum where the washers spin Warm air rising, we let it in You walk through that door like the day begins We're glad you're here again, Alina

Pre-chorus

Every cycle turning slow Something good about to show Get ready, here it comes

Chorus

Alina, this day is yours Spinning bright like open doors Whole room singing your name tonight Alina, we love you more

Verse 2

Coins drop soft into the slot Every year you've given a lot You steady us when tempers get hot We count that as gold, not what we've got

Pre-chorus

Steam rolls up and warms the glass Watch the good times spin so fast Get ready, here it comes

Chorus

Alina, this day is yours Spinning bright like open doors Whole room singing your name tonight Alina, we love you more

Bridge

No need to hide, no need to hush Let the whole room feel the rush You're the warmth we're gathered around Steady as that spinning sound

Chorus

Alina, this day is yours Spinning bright like open doors Whole room singing your name tonight Alina, we love you more

Outro

Lights still hum where the washers spin Happy birthday, Alina, come on in

Verse 1

I walked out early, half awake Still I felt you everywhere I stood The tide came in and took the day But some things don't wash off for good

Pre-chorus

I try to hold what won't stay still Try to keep the warmth before it's gone But you were never mine to hold

Chorus

Alina, you're the mark that stays Long after the water's had its turn Some love fades like the evening sun And some love, Alina, just won't burn

Verse 2

You left before the light came up Careful not to wake me from the dream But I felt you leaving all the same Soft as sand gives under anything

Pre-chorus

I try to hold what won't stay still Try to keep the warmth before it's gone But you were never mine to hold

Chorus

Alina, you're the mark that stays Long after the water's had its turn Some love fades like the evening sun And some love, Alina, just won't burn

Bridge

Maybe nothing lasts the way we plan Maybe that was never really true Still I'd walk that shore a hundred times Just to find the proof that I loved you

Chorus

Alina, you're the mark that stays Long after the water's had its turn Some love fades like the evening sun And some love, Alina, just won't burn

Outro

The tide comes in, the tide goes out I'm still standing where you used to be

Verse 1

The bolts along the pier have rusted but the planks are holding fine I watched you weather your own storms and never once quit on the line

Chorus

Alina, you hold like old iron steady through wind and through weather I've seen what tries to wear you down Alina, we're still here together

Verse 2

Some mornings the water's rough and the whole pier seems to lean but you keep standing at the edge calm as I've ever seen

Pre-chorus

I don't need the sea to be gentle I just need to know you're near so let the tide keep coming

Chorus

Alina, you hold like old iron steady through wind and through weather I've seen what tries to wear you down Alina, we're still here together

Bridge

Every bolt out there has a story of salt and years and strain but nothing built to last is easy and nothing easy stays

Chorus

Alina, you hold like old iron steady through wind and through weather I've seen what tries to wear you down Alina, we're still here together

Outro

The pier still stands after all this weather and so, my love, do we

Verse 1

Water spins and empties out Same old sink, same old spout I forget what we're washing off You just laugh, that's often enough

Pre-chorus

Nothing here is much to see Just the two of us and me But watching you, I start to believe

Chorus

Alina, you're the calm in my chest Steady hands hold up the rest No grand plans, no wide arena Just this life with you, Alina

Verse 2

Bubbles catch the kitchen light You hum something not quite right I don't know the tune you're in But I could listen till the end

Bridge

Some loves shout from a stage Ours just turns another page No subpoena, no big scene Just you and me and in between

Chorus

Alina, you're the calm in my chest Steady hands hold up the rest No grand plans, no wide arena Just this life with you, Alina

Outro

The water's gone, the sink runs clear Still glad you're standing here

Verse 1

Yellow light is pooling soft where the little buttons gleam Brass and gold are holding still inside this quiet, drowsy beam Nothing here can reach you now, nothing sharp or loud You are wrapped in warmth as deep as any river's dream

Chorus

Sleep now, sweet Alina, let the whole wide world go dim Close your eyes, Alina, drift on out to sleep's edge and swim Nothing waits to trouble you when morning comes again You are safe as anything, held soft within

Verse 2

Every little button holds a small and steady spark Watching over you tonight, keeping back the dark Breathe it slow, my darling, let your shoulders finally rest You have carried far enough, you can lay down your heart

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the lamp burn low and gentle where you lie Let the hours soften round you like a long, unhurried sigh Somewhere warm is waiting just to hold you as you fly

Chorus

Sleep now, sweet Alina, let the whole wide world go dim Close your eyes, Alina, drift on out to sleep's edge and swim Nothing waits to trouble you when morning comes again You are safe as anything, held soft within

Bridge

You are loved beyond the reach of any counting or of time Held inside a quiet only you and stillness understand

Chorus

Sleep now, sweet Alina, let the whole wide world go dim Close your eyes, Alina, drift on out to sleep's edge and swim Nothing waits to trouble you when morning comes again You are safe as anything, held soft within

Outro

Yellow light will still be burning soft when you wake up again You are held here, always, past the edges of the lamp

Verse 1

Somewhere a window is growing its small white ferns of frost but you are warm here, and nothing cold can find you the night keeps travelling on, and you are never lost the dark outside is soft, it will not remind you

Pre-chorus

Let your small breath slow to the hush that carries you let every worry melt like frost against the warm glass you are held so gently, closer than the night is to you

Chorus

Sleep now, Alina, the whole world can wait till morning hush now, Alina, there is nothing you should fear you are the warmest light this quiet night is holding sleep now, Alina, I am here, I am here

Verse 2

The bus rolls on through streets that no one else is watching but you don't need to watch, you only need to rest the glass may hold the cold, yet you are never touching it, wrapped instead in something warmer than a nest

Chorus

Sleep now, Alina, the whole world can wait till morning hush now, Alina, there is nothing you should fear you are the warmest light this quiet night is holding sleep now, Alina, I am here, I am here

Bridge

Every small fern of frost will melt when morning comes but the warmth that I have for you never leaves, never dims

Chorus

Sleep now, Alina, the whole world can wait till morning hush now, Alina, there is nothing you should fear you are the warmest light this quiet night is holding sleep now, Alina, I am here, I am here

Outro

Let the frost keep its patterns on the glass till the light you are already home, and home is warm tonight

Verse 1

Grey wool threads are tangling softly on my knee tonight Somewhere past the window, the last of day gives up its light You are curled here breathing slower than the settling wool Warm and small and certain, wrapped in something peaceful and full

Pre-chorus

Rain is tapping quiet on the glass beside your head Nothing in this whole wide world can reach you in this bed So let your eyes grow heavy as the story softly ends

Chorus

Alina, sleep is calling soft and low and slow Close your eyes, my darling, let the whole night go Nothing here will hurt you, nothing here will roam Alina, you are held here, you are always home

Verse 2

My fingers keep on winding through the greying woollen thread While the piano hushes every worry from your head You do not need to wonder what tomorrow's hours bring Only need to listen to the rain and let it sing

Pre-chorus

Rain is tapping quiet on the glass beside your head Nothing in this whole wide world can reach you in this bed So let your eyes grow heavy as the story softly ends

Chorus

Alina, sleep is calling soft and low and slow Close your eyes, my darling, let the whole night go Nothing here will hurt you, nothing here will roam Alina, you are held here, you are always home

Bridge

Whatever comes tomorrow, you are loved this very way Held so gently closer than the fading edge of day

Chorus

Alina, sleep is calling soft and low and slow Close your eyes, my darling, let the whole night go Nothing here will hurt you, nothing here will roam Alina, you are held here, you are always home

Outro

The wool lies still and quiet now, its tangles all at rest You are sleeping softly now, the safest and the best