Songs for Alyssa

Verse 1

Boots lined up on the bottom step Still caked in mud from the pitch you swept You never walk in and just sit down You bring the noise into any town

Pre-chorus

Let the trumpets call your name Let the whole room feel the same Get ready, here we go

Chorus

Alyssa, light the candles, turn it up Pass the cake around and fill the cup Nobody laughs the way you do This whole song is aimed at you

Verse 2

You leave a trail through every hall Muddy prints and a battered ball But you show up, that's all we ask You make the hardest days a laugh

Chorus

Alyssa, light the candles, turn it up Pass the cake around and fill the cup Nobody laughs the way you do This whole song is aimed at you

Bridge

Another year of scuffed up shoes Another year we'd never trade for two Stand up now, let's raise a cheer

Chorus

Alyssa, light the candles, turn it up Pass the cake around and fill the cup Nobody laughs the way you do This whole song is aimed at you

Outro

Leave your boots there on the stair We're glad, so glad, that you are here

Verse 1

Dust on the frame by the mirror catches the hallway light nobody stops to notice but you make the dull things bright

Chorus

Alyssa, pour out the glasses raise up the noise tonight we're stamping our feet to say it Alyssa, you're our delight

Verse 2

You walk in and the room wakes laughter comes round the bend every face turns towards you glad to call you a friend

Pre-chorus

So let the fiddle come running let every voice climb high one more year and we love you

Chorus

Alyssa, pour out the glasses raise up the noise tonight we're stamping our feet to say it Alyssa, you're our delight

Bridge

However far you wander this room remembers your name however long the dark stretch you still come home the same

Chorus

Alyssa, pour out the glasses raise up the noise tonight we're stamping our feet to say it Alyssa, you're our delight

Outro

Someday dust will settle but never on how you're missed

Verse 1

Rain came down on the old pitch Washed the white lines to a mist Some things fade when the storm hits But nothing fades what you are to us

Chorus

Alyssa, light up this room tonight Nobody else could shine so bright Every year you get harder to miss Happy birthday, Alyssa

Verse 2

You run circles nobody drew Chalk could never hold on to you Storms roll in and storms roll through But we still know where to find you

Pre-chorus

So let the glasses lift up high Let every candle catch alight We've been waiting all day for this

Chorus

Alyssa, light up this room tonight Nobody else could shine so bright Every year you get harder to miss Happy birthday, Alyssa

Bridge

However far the seasons pull you We keep loving who we knew Older now but still that same one Nothing about you we'd undo

Chorus

Alyssa, light up this room tonight Nobody else could shine so bright Every year you get harder to miss Happy birthday, Alyssa

Outro

Rain will come and wash the lines But you're the mark that always finds us

Verse 1

Two heavy suitcases lean on the bench Yellow paint peeling, worn from the wrench Nobody rushing, no train yet in sight You lean on my shoulder, everything's right

Pre-chorus

I've counted the ways I could lose you Counted the trains that come and go But my feet stay planted right here

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I'd never miss Been waiting my whole life to kiss her Alyssa, steady as this bench we share Nothing feels lonely when you're there

Verse 2

We don't need somewhere new to prove it Sitting still is how we move it Your hand finds mine without a word Quiet love is the truest I've heard

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I'd never miss Been waiting my whole life to kiss her Alyssa, steady as this bench we share Nothing feels lonely when you're there

Bridge

Let the trains keep their timetables We're not bound by what departs I already got where I'm going The minute you sat down close

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I'd never miss Been waiting my whole life to kiss her Alyssa, steady as this bench we share Nothing feels lonely when you're there

Outro

Two bags still lean on that bench You're the one thing I won't relinquish

Verse 1

You left your toothbrush by the razor stayed the night and never asked small blue thing against the silver I don't want you gone by morning

Pre-chorus

I never thought a shelf could hold this two small things leaned close like that now my whole house waits for you

Chorus

Alyssa, you've gone and settled in me not loud, not sudden, just like breathing some folks arrive with bells and speeches you just stayed, and I'd miss her

Verse 2

You laugh at how I fold the towels say I fuss too much with order then you leave your cup right where it lands and somehow that's the part I love

Pre-chorus

I never thought a shelf could hold this two small things leaned close like that now my whole house waits for you

Chorus

Alyssa, you've gone and settled in me not loud, not sudden, just like breathing some folks arrive with bells and speeches you just stayed, and I'd miss her

Bridge

I know this isn't much to sing about a blue brush and a bit of glass but I keep looking at it, thinking you chose to leave a piece of you here

Chorus

Alyssa, you've gone and settled in me not loud, not sudden, just like breathing some folks arrive with bells and speeches you just stayed, and I'd miss her

Outro

Someday that shelf will just be a shelf but tonight it's you, still standing near

Verse 1

Books stacked high beneath the table Every page still shut and new None of them can hold my patience Nothing reads the way you do

Pre-chorus

I keep meaning to begin them Keep choosing you instead So the stories wait a little longer

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I open Every single time Melissa never turned my head like this You're the only line

Verse 2

Dust collects on all those corners Words that never left the shelf You're the story I keep living Better than I write myself

Pre-chorus

I keep meaning to begin them Keep choosing you instead So the stories wait a little longer

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I open Every single time Melissa never turned my head like this You're the only line

Bridge

Let the paperbacks stay closed You're the chapter I need most

Chorus

Alyssa, you're the one I open Every single time Melissa never turned my head like this You're the only line

Outro

Let the books stay stacked and waiting You're the only page I need

Verse 1

Somewhere behind a door the quiet hours are turning slow A brass heart swinging soft to hush the hallway light Every tick is folding down the day you carried with you And nothing in the dark tonight will give you a fright

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes and let the ticking carry all your worry Every swing is small and sure and keeping steady time Rest here now, the whole wide house is leaning in to hold you

Chorus

Alyssa, the night has wrapped its arms around this room Nothing here will wake before the morning finds you Alyssa, you are held by something soft and old and true Sleep now, let the quiet be the blanket that reminds you

Verse 2

Down the corridor the carved door keeps its patient watch The pendulum won't hurry and it never will forget You are the reason all this gentle turning matters And every slow swing home is one that you have met

Chorus

Alyssa, the night has wrapped its arms around this room Nothing here will wake before the morning finds you Alyssa, you are held by something soft and old and true Sleep now, let the quiet be the blanket that reminds you

Bridge

Somebody is watching while the brass keeps counting slow Nothing has to hurry, nothing has to go

Chorus

Alyssa, the night has wrapped its arms around this room Nothing here will wake before the morning finds you Alyssa, you are held by something soft and old and true Sleep now, let the quiet be the blanket that reminds you

Outro

Somewhere the brass has slowed to just the softest sway Sleep now, my dear, the whole night keeps you safe till day

Verse 1

The white cotton curtains are drifting soft and slow tonight Over floorboards worn smooth by the warm and fading light Somewhere past that window the whole wide world can wait While you drift here beside me, safe and small and safe

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the breeze come turn the room to hush Nothing in the dark tonight will ever come to rush Close your eyes and listen while the quiet starts to grow

Chorus

Alyssa, the night is holding you so gently in its arms Nothing here will touch you, nothing here will bring you harm I could watch you sleeping and never tire of this Alyssa, my whole heart is wrapped around this kiss

Verse 2

The window stays open just to let the cool air through Carrying the hush of stars down softly onto you Every little breath you take is steady, slow and deep And I am only here to guard this gift of sleep

Chorus

Alyssa, the night is holding you so gently in its arms Nothing here will touch you, nothing here will bring you harm I could watch you sleeping and never tire of this Alyssa, my whole heart is wrapped around this kiss

Bridge

Sleep on, sleep on, there is nowhere else to be Just this room, this breath, this quiet company No need to wake, no reason to be missed You are exactly where you're meant to be, held like this

Chorus

Alyssa, the night is holding you so gently in its arms Nothing here will touch you, nothing here will bring you harm I could watch you sleeping and never tire of this Alyssa, my whole heart is wrapped around this kiss

Outro

The curtains settle still against the sleeping floor Rest now, little one, I'm here, I'll always be here

Verse 1

The fire has gone soft and low, and still it keeps you warm Grey ash settles slowly round the embers as they turn Nothing in this room can do you harm You are held here safe while all the light burns down to gold

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the day drift far away from you There is nothing left to chase and nothing left to do Just this quiet, just this warmth, just you

Chorus

Alyssa, sleep, the whole wide night is holding you tonight Nobody else could ever fill this quiet room with light You are the warmest thing that this house knows Alyssa, rest, and let the glow wrap round you as it goes

Verse 2

Somewhere the wind is moving trees you'll never have to see Here in this room the only sound is breathing, soft and slow You are the reason embers glow Small as you are, you fill this whole house quietly

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the day drift far away from you There is nothing left to chase and nothing left to do Just this quiet, just this warmth, just you

Chorus

Alyssa, sleep, the whole wide night is holding you tonight Nobody else could ever fill this quiet room with light You are the warmest thing that this house knows Alyssa, rest, and let the glow wrap round you as it goes

Bridge

Long after every ember has gone quiet in the dark You will still be carried gently in the shape you leave behind Nothing needs to keep its spark To still be loved, to still be safe, to still be mine

Chorus

Alyssa, sleep, the whole wide night is holding you tonight Nobody else could ever fill this quiet room with light You are the warmest thing that this house knows Alyssa, rest, and let the glow wrap round you as it goes

Outro

The ash falls soft and slow around the embers turning gold Sleep now, you are warm, you are held, you are not alone