Songs for Derek

Verse 1

Green balloon out on the grass Pigeons hopping, watching it pass Sitting on a slatted bench You'd have made the whole thing class

Pre-chorus

You turn small things into gold Every story better told So let's get this candle lit

Chorus

Derek, Derek, raise a cheer Nobody else we'd rather have here Something in you steady and true Happy birthday, Derek, my dear

Verse 2

Some folk fade into the wall You're the one we notice at all Even pigeons stop and stare Waiting to see what you'd call

Pre-chorus

You turn small things into gold Every story better told So let's get this candle lit

Chorus

Derek, Derek, raise a cheer Nobody else we'd rather have here Something in you steady and true Happy birthday, Derek, my dear

Bridge

Another year, another lap Still the one who fills the gap We're glad you're standing where you are Right here with us, no need to map

Chorus

Derek, Derek, raise a cheer Nobody else we'd rather have here Something in you steady and true Happy birthday, Derek, my dear

Outro

That green balloon is drifting still We're happy you're the one we love

Verse 1

Corner flag is dancing in the breeze Cones are stacked up neat beside the goal Something in that muddy field agrees You're the kind that warms an old cold soul

Pre-chorus

Every year you show up strong Steady as the wind that blows along We been waiting to sing this song

Chorus

Derek, Derek, light the day up bright Come and feel this love we send your way Nobody else could hold a room so tight Derek, we're glad you're here today

Verse 2

Boots all muddy, sky still full of grey Still the flag keeps flying, doesn't care You're the one who turns a rough old day Into something we all want to share

Pre-chorus

Every year you show up strong Steady as the wind that blows along We been waiting to sing this song

Chorus

Derek, Derek, light the day up bright Come and feel this love we send your way Nobody else could hold a room so tight Derek, we're glad you're here today

Bridge

Sun breaks through the clouds for you Wind picks up and cheers you on Whatever this whole year puts you through We'll be right here till it's gone

Chorus

Derek, Derek, light the day up bright Come and feel this love we send your way Nobody else could hold a room so tight Derek, we're glad you're here today

Outro

Flag still flying, cones still stacked in line Happy birthday, Derek, shine and shine

Verse 1

You breathe on the glass and grin tracing your name in the fog the back seat feels like home even stuck in traffic jam slog

Pre-chorus

Every year the candles climb but you never seem to age something steady, something kind turning one more crowded page

Chorus

Derek, the window's clearing now light comes pouring through happy birthday, hold that light Derek, we're glad it's you

Verse 2

You wipe the glass with your sleeve clear a little patch to see the whole world outside looks brighter when you're sitting next to me

Bridge

Rain keeps falling on the roof we don't mind the weather another year of you beside us warm because we're together

Chorus

Derek, the window's clearing now light comes pouring through happy birthday, hold that light Derek, we're glad it's you

Outro

The glass has cleared, the fog has gone but your warmth is staying on

Verse 1

You let the water cool slow No need to chase the foam The bubbles rise on their own And so do you, all alone

Chorus

Derek, you’re the quiet part That holds the whole thing true Derek, I’m not asking for More than the stillness in you

Verse 2

The plate sits heavy, worn No polish, no disguise Just warmth left where it’s borne And still, you don’t compromise

Pre-chorus

I used to think love had to speak Loud enough to be seen But you just breathe, and I believe

Chorus

Derek, you’re the quiet part That holds the whole thing true Derek, I’m not asking for More than the stillness in you

Bridge

No need to fix what’s right No rush to make it shine You’re here, and that’s the light That turns the grey to pine

Chorus

Derek, you’re the quiet part That holds the whole thing true Derek, I’m not asking for More than the stillness in you

Outro

The plate still holds the steam And you’re still here, just so

Verse 1

You don’t need loud to hold me tight Just the quiet after midnight Your hands still know my shape Even when the world’s asleep

Pre-chorus

The logs went cold, the smoke rose high But something in the ashes stayed A glow I didn’t know was mine

Chorus

Derek, you’re the calm I seek Not fire, but the glow you keep Derek, I don’t need a sound Just you beside me, safe and found

Verse 2

You never fix what’s not broke Just sit and let the silence speak Your breath the rhythm I trust No need to make it more than this

Chorus

Derek, you’re the calm I seek Not fire, but the glow you keep Derek, I don’t need a sound Just you beside me, safe and found

Bridge

I thought love needed grand design Turns out it just needs you to be

Chorus

Derek, you’re the calm I seek Not fire, but the glow you keep Derek, I don’t need a sound Just you beside me, safe and found

Outro

The logs are ash, the smoke is gone But you still glow — I’m not alone

Verse 1

You let the apples fall where they may No rush to clean the wet grass away You don’t fix what won’t stay the same Just watch the rust and the colour fade

Pre-chorus

I used to think love had to be bright Now I know it’s the quietest light That stays when the rest starts to leak

Chorus

Derek, you’re my steady heartbeat Not loud, not strong, but still complete You don’t need to shine to be seen Derek, I love the way you lean

Verse 2

You don’t speak much when the day gets long Just pour the tea, let the silence throng Like roots under soil, like stones in stream You hold what needs to stay unseen

Chorus

Derek, you’re my steady heartbeat Not loud, not strong, but still complete You don’t need to shine to be seen Derek, I love the way you lean

Bridge

I never said it, but I’ve known You’re the quiet I’ve always called home

Chorus

Derek, you’re my steady heartbeat Not loud, not strong, but still complete You don’t need to shine to be seen Derek, I love the way you lean

Outro

The apples rot, the roller rusts Still, you’re here — and that’s enough

Verse 1

The lamp burns low and gold across the old woollen rug Every rough little thread is holding warmth just for you Outside the window the dark is soft as a gentle hug Nothing can reach you here, nothing untrue

Pre-chorus

The house breathes slow now, every corner settled and still Your small hand rests where the amber light falls warm and slow And sleep is coming gentle, waiting just past the windowsill

Chorus

Derek, the night is holding you soft and near Nothing will wake you, nothing will roam Derek, there is nothing at all to fear This rug, this lamp, this quiet, is home

Verse 2

The wool is coarse but warm beneath your drifting little hand Every fibre catches light the way your breathing finds its rhyme Somewhere far off the wind moves slow across the sleeping land Nothing will hurry you, we have all the time

Chorus

Derek, the night is holding you soft and near Nothing will wake you, nothing will roam Derek, there is nothing at all to fear This rug, this lamp, this quiet, is home

Bridge

Close your eyes now, let the amber glow keep watch tonight Sleep can carry you further than any road we know

Chorus

Derek, the night is holding you soft and near Nothing will wake you, nothing will roam Derek, there is nothing at all to fear This rug, this lamp, this quiet, is home

Outro

The lamp will still be burning low when morning comes to find you Wrapped in wool and amber light, and loved the whole night through

Verse 1

Orange lamps go blinking softly past the window glass tonight Your buckle holds you steady while the whole world drifts away You watch the light slide over, quiet as a slow held breath I keep you safe inside this hush until the break of day

Pre-chorus

Every little light that passes waves and then it's gone Your eyes are growing heavy though you fight to keep them on So let the dark come closer, we are drifting into song

Chorus

Derek, close your eyes now, let the night wrap round you slow Nothing in the dark tonight can touch you where you go Derek, I am near you, closer than the streetlamps glow Sleep now, little Derek, that's the only thing to know

Verse 2

You are wrapped in warmth as softly as a blanket pulled up high Nothing but the hum of engines singing you a lullaby Rest your head against the quiet, let your small hands loosen free Drifting slow past sleepy windows, you are safe as safe can be

Chorus

Derek, close your eyes now, let the night wrap round you slow Nothing in the dark tonight can touch you where you go Derek, I am near you, closer than the streetlamps glow Sleep now, little Derek, that's the only thing to know

Bridge

Every light that blinks and fades is only saying goodnight You are held through every mile, however far or slight

Chorus

Derek, close your eyes now, let the night wrap round you slow Nothing in the dark tonight can touch you where you go Derek, I am near you, closer than the streetlamps glow Sleep now, little Derek, that's the only thing to know

Outro

The lamps still glow but softer now, they're fading out of sight Sleep on, my Derek, safe and warm, held close through all the night

Verse 1

Far beyond the fence the fog is rolling low and slow Two small lights are drifting where the quiet engines go But nothing out there matters more than breath beneath this roof You are held so gently here, all warm and safe and proof

Pre-chorus

Let the distant world keep turning past the garden gate Every worry waits outside and you don't have to wait Close your eyes now, let the hush come rolling in to stay

Chorus

Derek, Derek, sleep is calling soft and low Nothing out there needs you, nothing you must know Derek, you're the warmest thing this whole house owns tonight Rest now while the world goes by in far off yellow light

Verse 2

Somewhere down the tracks a train is humming out of sight Carrying its own small load of shadows through the night You are not a passenger on any road so far You're the reason this whole house feels steady as it are

Bridge

Fog will lift by morning, light will find another shape Nothing in the dark tonight has any claim to take You are tucked in closer than the quiet ever gets

Chorus

Derek, Derek, sleep is calling soft and low Nothing out there needs you, nothing you must know Derek, you're the warmest thing this whole house owns tonight Rest now while the world goes by in far off yellow light

Outro

The lights beyond the fence will fade to nothing but the fog And you'll be sleeping warm and safe, held closer than a hug