Songs for Brenda

Verse 1

Somebody piled the bench up high Boxes stacked against the sky Nobody's opened one yet We're all just waiting for you to arrive

Pre-chorus

Every box is holding its breath Every ribbon wants to be undone So come and claim what's yours

Chorus

Brenda, this whole day is yours Open every one of the doors You make the ordinary into splendour Nobody fills a room like Brenda

Verse 2

Cardboard towers lean and sway We built them up to mark the day You're the reason we all showed up Standing here with nothing to say

Chorus

Brenda, this whole day is yours Open every one of the doors You make the ordinary into splendour Nobody fills a room like Brenda

Bridge

Some folk you just remember Long after the boxes are gone We'll still be talking about tonight Come September, we'll carry it on

Chorus

Brenda, this whole day is yours Open every one of the doors You make the ordinary into splendour Nobody fills a room like Brenda

Outro

The bench will empty, the boxes clear But you're the gift we gathered here

Verse 1

We climbed on the back seat laughing paper streamers flying like confetti you grabbed my hand and started singing nothing in this world felt petty

Pre-chorus

Something in you lights the whole ride up turns a tired bus into a party so let the horns come in loud and steady

Chorus

Brenda, this is your day now clap your hands and hold your splendour nobody shines quite like you, Brenda warm as summer, never tender

Verse 2

You always find the seat in back where the noise is and the fun begins strangers turn to friends around you that's the kind of joy your presence brings

Chorus

Brenda, this is your day now clap your hands and hold your splendour nobody shines quite like you, Brenda warm as summer, never tender

Bridge

Blow the candles, let them scatter like the paper on that old bus floor you were always what mattered open up the door for more

Chorus

Brenda, this is your day now clap your hands and hold your splendour nobody shines quite like you, Brenda warm as summer, never tender

Outro

Somewhere still that bus is rolling streamers catching all your light

Verse 1

A white box on the step outside Somebody rang the bell and hid We knew before we saw your face This morning had your name and place

Pre-chorus

Candles waiting, box unties Everybody's got their eyes On the one this day is for

Chorus

Brenda, Brenda, hear us sing You're the whole reason for this thing No one fills a room so well Brenda, you've got that kind of spell

Verse 2

You always knew just what to bring Now let us give you everything This cake won't match what you have done But we're here now, and you're the one

Pre-chorus

Candles waiting, box unties Everybody's got their eyes On the one this day is for

Chorus

Brenda, Brenda, hear us sing You're the whole reason for this thing No one fills a room so well Brenda, you've got that kind of spell

Bridge

However far this year has gone You brought us all together still We're glad to raise a glass and sing We're glad you're here for everything

Chorus

Brenda, Brenda, hear us sing You're the whole reason for this thing No one fills a room so well Brenda, you've got that kind of spell

Outro

The box is open on the step We'll keep this day like something kept

Verse 1

Rain came down without a warning Two coats pulled in, close and steady Stone above us, cold and narrow You stayed calm, you kept me warm

Pre-chorus

I've stopped needing wide open rooms Just this small space, just this hush Something's building I can't hold back

Chorus

Brenda, you're the shelter I found Every storm quiets when you're around Nothing about you feels like an accident Brenda, you're the safest ground

Verse 2

Years or days, it hardly matters You made ordinary things feel tender No grand plans, just staying close This is the love I'll always remember

Chorus

Brenda, you're the shelter I found Every storm quiets when you're around Nothing about you feels like an accident Brenda, you're the safest ground

Bridge

I don't need the rain to stop Just need you standing where you are No agenda, no grand splendour Just this doorway, just this hour

Chorus

Brenda, you're the shelter I found Every storm quiets when you're around Nothing about you feels like an accident Brenda, you're the safest ground

Outro

Let it rain on every stranger With you, I'm always sheltered

Verse 1

Cold morning, concrete under our feet Two paper cups, touching, warm and sweet I wasn't looking for this at all Then you were there, and I stood tall

Pre-chorus

I don't need speeches or grand design Just steam and quiet and your hand near mine Something is building, I feel it start

Chorus

Brenda, you steady this whole wide world Simple as morning, soft as it's told You are the tender place I land Brenda, I'm better with you at hand

Verse 2

Trains keep leaving, we let them go No place to be that we need to know Your cup goes cold but you don't care You'd rather stand with me right here

Chorus

Brenda, you steady this whole wide world Simple as morning, soft as it's told You are the tender place I land Brenda, I'm better with you at hand

Bridge

Long after summer turns to grey I'll still be reaching for your way Whatever changes, this stays true There's no version of me without you

Chorus

Brenda, you steady this whole wide world Simple as morning, soft as it's told You are the tender place I land Brenda, I'm better with you at hand

Outro

Two cups still touching, side by side That's how I'll always keep you, Brenda, mine

Verse 1

We climb until the town looks small You take my hand without a word Our shadows lean across the grass Yours is the only voice I've heard

Pre-chorus

I never needed noise or speed Just steady ground and steady you This slow kind of love is what I need

Chorus

Brenda, you're the calm I chose Not the kind that comes and goes Some hearts rush and some hearts wander Mine just settles down on Brenda

Verse 2

You laugh and the whole hill hears it I forget what I came to say Every quiet thing feels louder When you're standing in my way

Bridge

No fireworks, just this long light Two shapes leaning into one Nothing here is new or perfect But it's steady, and it's done

Chorus

Brenda, you're the calm I chose Not the kind that comes and goes Some hearts rush and some hearts wander Mine just settles down on Brenda

Outro

The grass will keep our shape a while Long after we walk home

Verse 1

Far off there's a train that hums low beneath the floor and the whole dark room seems to breathe along in time a rumble so soft it could be your own heartbeat and I hold you closer, wanting nothing more

Chorus

Brenda, the night has nowhere else to be but here every worry of the day can quietly disappear you are held, you are warm, you are tender and Brenda, I've got you, so there's nothing to fear

Verse 2

The engine fades away down some track we'll never see carrying its noise off into the far September dark but you stay right here safe in the crook of my arm wrapped in a stillness that belongs to you and me

Pre-chorus

Somewhere out there the whole wide world keeps turning on but in this room it's only breath and lamplight low and my heart is already halfway into song

Chorus

Brenda, the night has nowhere else to be but here every worry of the day can quietly disappear you are held, you are warm, you are tender and Brenda, I've got you, so there's nothing to fear

Bridge

Let the far world hum and rumble as it will you are the quiet centre it can never touch

Chorus

Brenda, the night has nowhere else to be but here every worry of the day can quietly disappear you are held, you are warm, you are tender and Brenda, I've got you, so there's nothing to fear

Outro

The floor has gone still now, and the train has moved along sleep on, little Brenda, safe inside this song

Verse 1

Close your eyes now, the day has folded itself away A heavy blanket is resting soft across your knee Nothing can reach you, nothing can carry you far tonight You are held here gently, safe as anyone could be

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the dark is only a curtain drawn down low Your breathing is slowing, quiet as falling snow Let the whole wide world wait outside this door

Chorus

Brenda, the night is wrapping softly around your shoulders Nobody's leaving, nobody's letting go You are the warmest thing in this whole house, Brenda Sleep now, sleep slow

Verse 2

Somewhere a window is holding the moon up quietly Your small hands have loosened, your fingers have let the day go Breathe in the warmth that is gathered around you like arms You are the softest thing that this whole night will know

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the dark is only a curtain drawn down low Your breathing is slowing, quiet as falling snow Let the whole wide world wait outside this door

Chorus

Brenda, the night is wrapping softly around your shoulders Nobody's leaving, nobody's letting go You are the warmest thing in this whole house, Brenda Sleep now, sleep slow

Bridge

Nothing you carry needs carrying now Let it rest, let it settle, let it slow You were loved long before this evening started You'll be loved long after you go

Chorus

Brenda, the night is wrapping softly around your shoulders Nobody's leaving, nobody's letting go You are the warmest thing in this whole house, Brenda Sleep now, sleep slow

Outro

Somewhere that blanket is still resting warm across your knee Sleep now, Brenda, there is nowhere else you need to be

Verse 1

A beam comes sliding soft across the old wooden floor Reaching quiet through the dark to find just where you lie Nothing out there in the night could ever touch you more Than the hush that's gathering now beneath this quiet sky

Chorus

Sleep now, Brenda, let the light keep watch till dawn Close your eyes, my love, there's nothing here to fear You are held so gently, Brenda, safe till morning's born Every breath you take is precious, every breath is dear

Verse 2

The whole wide house goes quiet when your small eyes start to close Every creak and corner softens, folding into rest Somewhere far a light keeps turning, sweeping as it goes Casting gold across the floor to say that you are blessed

Pre-chorus

Let the flashing beam remind you nothing here will harm Let the warmth around you settle deep into your bones Stay a little longer here inside this calm

Chorus

Sleep now, Brenda, let the light keep watch till dawn Close your eyes, my love, there's nothing here to fear You are held so gently, Brenda, safe till morning's born Every breath you take is precious, every breath is dear

Bridge

However far the night may stretch, you're never left alone Wrapped in something steady as a heartbeat all your own

Chorus

Sleep now, Brenda, let the light keep watch till dawn Close your eyes, my love, there's nothing here to fear You are held so gently, Brenda, safe till morning's born Every breath you take is precious, every breath is dear

Outro

The light will keep on turning long after you're asleep So rest now, little Brenda, there's nothing here to keep