Songs for Charles

Verse 1

You come round the corner slow boxes sliding, hearts wide open we been waiting, don't you know hoping, praying, wishing, hoping

Pre-chorus

Every mile that brought you home every year since you were born builds to this one

Chorus

Charles, the room is lit for you clap your hands and stomp the floor we've been singing all night through glad you're here, we're asking more

Verse 2

You unpack your whole wide life set it down here in our arms nothing here but joy, no strife just a room that means no harm

Bridge

Somebody pour the light out let it spill on everyone we are shouting, we are certain you're the reason we've begun

Chorus

Charles, the room is lit for you clap your hands and stomp the floor we've been singing all night through glad you're here, we're asking more

Outro

Let the taxi keep on turning you're already home, you're home

Verse 1

Morning finds the old wood floor dust that spins by the landing door small gold flecks that drift and rise nothing shines like you in my eyes

Pre-chorus

Every year the light comes back finds you standing on that track and something in me starts to sing

Chorus

Charles, the room lights up for you every word we say is true nobody warms a house like Charles count us lucky, count the marbles

Verse 2

You climb the steps the way you do taking your time, the whole way through and every step has held your name today we say it loud again

Chorus

Charles, the room lights up for you every word we say is true nobody warms a house like Charles count us lucky, count the marbles

Bridge

Blow the horns and let it swell raise a glass, we've got a lot to tell you're the reason we all came so we're shouting out your name

Chorus

Charles, the room lights up for you every word we say is true nobody warms a house like Charles count us lucky, count the marbles

Outro

Dust still dances on the stair but the warmest light is you, right there

Verse 1

Suds are climbing up the glass Spinning slow and full of light Something small turns beautiful Charles, that's how you catch the light

Pre-chorus

Every ordinary thing you touch Comes out gleaming, comes out new So light the candles, here's the count

Chorus

Charles, the room is calling loud Happy birthday, sing it clear We are lucky you were born Charles, we're glad that you are here

Verse 2

Water rolling round and round Catching every colour twice One more year has come to you One more year we count as nice

Bridge

Wash away the tired year Bring the bright year washing in Whatever spun you got here fine Let the new year now begin

Chorus

Charles, the room is calling loud Happy birthday, sing it clear We are lucky you were born Charles, we're glad that you are here

Outro

Bubbles slide and catch the sun Charles, you shine when day is done

Verse 1

Frost was cracking under my boots Out where the stubble stood in rows You laughed and the whole field lit up Better than any morning glows

Pre-chorus

I've walked cold ground before you came Nothing out there ever called my name Now every step is leading home

Chorus

Charles, you're the warmth I didn't plan for Steady as a heart that never snarls Nothing in this world could I want more You're worth more than a thousand marbles

Verse 2

We stood out past the broken fence Breath like smoke against the grey You took my hand like it made sense And the cold just fell away

Chorus

Charles, you're the warmth I didn't plan for Steady as a heart that never snarls Nothing in this world could I want more You're worth more than a thousand marbles

Bridge

No map ever led me right till you No harvest ever felt this true

Chorus

Charles, you're the warmth I didn't plan for Steady as a heart that never snarls Nothing in this world could I want more You're worth more than a thousand marbles

Outro

Frost still cracks under my boots But you're the reason I don't mind the cold

Verse 1

I left my gloves out on the wall and yours were waiting there and all that stillness said more than a word the plainest thing I've ever heard

Chorus

Charles, you're the one I choose again not just in sun but in the rain I'd know your shape with my eyes closed Charles, it's you that I have chosen

Verse 2

Some days we don't say very much you reach for me, I feel your touch no grand design, no need to try just steady hands, no reason why

Pre-chorus

I've counted all the ways to stay found none as good as your own way so let me say it one more time

Chorus

Charles, you're the one I choose again not just in sun but in the rain I'd know your shape with my eyes closed Charles, it's you that I have chosen

Bridge

No need for noise, no need to prove this kind of love just knows its move worn soft by time, still holding fast

Chorus

Charles, you're the one I choose again not just in sun but in the rain I'd know your shape with my eyes closed Charles, it's you that I have chosen

Outro

Two gloves still waiting on the wall and I'd pick yours out of them all

Verse 1

Morning comes in slow and green Leaves are heavy, bending down Something gathers, takes its time Same as how you wear your crown

Pre-chorus

I could rush this, call it done But the best things never run So I'm waiting, watching you

Chorus

Charles, you settle like the quiet After all the noise has gone I'm not asking you to hurry Charles, just stay till I am home

Verse 2

You don't shout to make me listen Never needed all the noise I found something worth the waiting Found it steady in your voice

Chorus

Charles, you settle like the quiet After all the noise has gone I'm not asking you to hurry Charles, just stay till I am home

Bridge

Some loves come down fast and loud Ours just gathers, drop by drop I've stopped counting all the minutes I don't want this ever stopped

Chorus

Charles, you settle like the quiet After all the noise has gone I'm not asking you to hurry Charles, just stay till I am home

Outro

Let it fall the way it wants to I'll still be here on the ground

Verse 1

Somewhere the water is folding soft over stone tonight Easy and slow, going nowhere, calling nothing to fight You are held closer than any wave could ever reach Safe past the sand, safe past the edge of the beach

Pre-chorus

Close up your eyes now, let the hush carry you in Nothing can find you under this warm and quiet skin Just let the dark be gentle, let it start to begin

Chorus

Charles, the whole night bends down soft to keep you warm Nothing out there tonight will ever come to harm Sleep now, Charles, with the lamp still glowing low You are the one I love most, wherever you go

Verse 2

Under that lamp the light lies yellow on the ground Small and steady, it never makes a single sound So let your breathing fall as easy as the tide There is nowhere safer than right here by my side

Pre-chorus

Close up your eyes now, let the hush carry you in Nothing can find you under this warm and quiet skin Just let the dark be gentle, let it start to begin

Chorus

Charles, the whole night bends down soft to keep you warm Nothing out there tonight will ever come to harm Sleep now, Charles, with the lamp still glowing low You are the one I love most, wherever you go

Bridge

Let every worry drift out further than the shore You are loved tonight the same as always, and more

Chorus

Charles, the whole night bends down soft to keep you warm Nothing out there tonight will ever come to harm Sleep now, Charles, with the lamp still glowing low You are the one I love most, wherever you go

Outro

Somewhere the water still folds soft over the stone Sleep now, you are never, ever alone

Verse 1

The kitchen goes quiet once the last cup is set down Steam curling soft where the white mug cools near the sink Somewhere behind me the house folds into its calm And you are the warmth that stays when the light goes brown

Chorus

Charles, my love, the night is soft and kind Close your eyes, let the day unwind You are held, you are safe, you are mine Charles, there's nothing left to find

Verse 2

The wooden table holds the hush of the evening still Every small sound has gone to rest in its place And I would stay here till the morning arrives Just to watch you dream with your hand curled so small

Pre-chorus

The house breathes slow, the walls lean in to listen Every shadow softens, learns to lie down too So let your breath find mine and drift along with it

Chorus

Charles, my love, the night is soft and kind Close your eyes, let the day unwind You are held, you are safe, you are mine Charles, there's nothing left to find

Bridge

No need to hurry, no need to wake Sleep comes gentle for your own sake

Chorus

Charles, my love, the night is soft and kind Close your eyes, let the day unwind You are held, you are safe, you are mine Charles, there's nothing left to find

Outro

The mug sits cool now, the kitchen has gone still And you sleep on, wrapped in all the warmth I have to give

Verse 1

Softly the old floor creaks beneath my feet in the dark Every quiet step is carrying me closer to you Nothing in this house will ever wake or startle you The night is only holding what is warm and true

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the whole house is breathing slow beside you Nothing out there can reach you where you lie Close your eyes, my love is standing watch till morning

Chorus

Charles, the dark is only a blanket pulled up high Nobody could love you more than you are loved tonight Rest easy, Charles, there is nothing left to carry Sleep will hold you gently till the morning light

Verse 2

Bare feet find their way without a single light to guide them I could walk this floor asleep, I know it that well You are the reason every board and beam stands quiet Watching over you is where my whole heart dwells

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the whole house is breathing slow beside you Nothing out there can reach you where you lie Close your eyes, my love is standing watch till morning

Chorus

Charles, the dark is only a blanket pulled up high Nobody could love you more than you are loved tonight Rest easy, Charles, there is nothing left to carry Sleep will hold you gently till the morning light

Bridge

Every creak along this floor is only saying I am near Sleep and let the whole wide world go still and clear

Chorus

Charles, the dark is only a blanket pulled up high Nobody could love you more than you are loved tonight Rest easy, Charles, there is nothing left to carry Sleep will hold you gently till the morning light

Outro

The floor grows quiet now beneath my settling feet Sleep on, my Charles, and rest in something sweet