Songs for Effie

Verse 1

Sand blows across the greaseproof sheet wrapped round the cake we couldn't eat we saved a wedge for you alone because you make this house a home

Pre-chorus

We lit the candle in the wind cupped hands around it, let it in and everyone here starts to grin

Chorus

Effie, hold the sponge up high we baked it clumsy, don't ask why you laugh and somehow it tastes sweet that's the gift, you, here, complete

Verse 2

The paper crinkles, catches light you peel it back and eyes go bright we watch you more than watch the cake that's the trade we're glad to make

Pre-chorus

We lit the candle in the wind cupped hands around it, let it in and everyone here starts to grin

Chorus

Effie, hold the sponge up high we baked it clumsy, don't ask why you laugh and somehow it tastes sweet that's the gift, you, here, complete

Bridge

Another year of you comes round the best thing this town has found so blow it out, make it count you're worth this whole amount

Chorus

Effie, hold the sponge up high we baked it clumsy, don't ask why you laugh and somehow it tastes sweet that's the gift, you, here, complete

Outro

Let the wrapper blow away you're the sweetness that will stay

Verse 1

Boots by the hose, caked in green You track the yard in everywhere Nobody minds the mess you leave We're just glad that you were there

Pre-chorus

Hose it down, but the day still shows Something good gets under your skin Effie, the mud won't let it go So let the whole street cave in

Chorus

Effie, Effie, steady and true Every year we're proud of you Effie, loud as a marching crew Nobody else could ever do

Verse 2

Grass clings on like it's holding tight Same as we do, when you're near You cut through any grey old light We count on you showing up here

Bridge

Every candle's a year you gave us Every year you gave us more Muddy boots still by the door Something to love, something to save us

Chorus

Effie, Effie, steady and true Every year we're proud of you Effie, loud as a marching crew Nobody else could ever do

Outro

Leave your boots right by the hose We'll love the mess, however it grows

Verse 1

Frost on the porch, the milk bottles ring early light comes stumbling in somewhere a box sits waiting and you're the reason we all sing

Pre-chorus

Another year comes knocking soft the kettle's on, the table's set we're gathering the words to say

Chorus

Effie, the whole street's waking up for you clinking glass and steady morning too nobody else could make this ordinary day feel new Effie, we're glad it's you

Verse 2

You leave the porch light burning on a small kindness nobody sees you make the plainest morning golden just by being who you please

Bridge

Blow out the candles, make it count every year adds up to more of you let the whole room shout it out

Chorus

Effie, the whole street's waking up for you clinking glass and steady morning too nobody else could make this ordinary day feel new Effie, we're glad it's you

Outro

The bottles rattle, the box stays still you're the warmth on this doorstep, and always will

Verse 1

Smoke is climbing past the pines Sparks are lifting toward the blue Every ember finds its way up And somehow I keep finding you

Pre-chorus

I don't need the fire to roar Just this warmth is plenty for me Something is rising, and it's leaning

Chorus

Effie, you're the calm in all this glowing Not loud, not heavy, just clean and true Effie, when the sparks go drifting skyward I keep my eyes on nothing else but you

Verse 2

The branches hold the dark up high Light moves slow across your face I've watched a hundred fires burn None of them held your kind of grace

Pre-chorus

I don't need the fire to roar Just this warmth is plenty for me Something is rising, and it's leaning

Chorus

Effie, you're the calm in all this glowing Not loud, not heavy, just clean and true Effie, when the sparks go drifting skyward I keep my eyes on nothing else but you

Bridge

No need for anything bigger than this No need to chase a brighter view I'd sit here till the whole thing's ashes Long as I'm sitting here with you

Chorus

Effie, you're the calm in all this glowing Not loud, not heavy, just clean and true Effie, when the sparks go drifting skyward I keep my eyes on nothing else but you

Outro

The smoke will settle, sparks will fade But I'll still be right here loving you

Verse 1

Fluorescent light on the tile floor Green machine humming soft and slow Nothing here was built to be beautiful But you make even this place glow

Pre-chorus

I wasn't looking for much that night Just coins and coffee, nothing steady But something shifted when you stepped in And I have not looked away, Effie

Chorus

Effie, you're the best thing standing here Effie, steady when I felt uneven You turned a plain room into somewhere I would choose again and again, Effie

Verse 2

The hum of light don't mean a thing Until you're standing under it with me Every ordinary place we've been Turned into somewhere I want to be

Pre-chorus

I wasn't looking for much that night Just coins and coffee, nothing steady But something shifted when you stepped in And I have not looked away, Effie

Chorus

Effie, you're the best thing standing here Effie, steady when I felt uneven You turned a plain room into somewhere I would choose again and again, Effie

Bridge

No candlelight, no violin Just a hallway and a hum But you're the reason I walked in And the reason that I've stayed, love

Chorus

Effie, you're the best thing standing here Effie, steady when I felt uneven You turned a plain room into somewhere I would choose again and again, Effie

Outro

Somewhere there's a light still humming And I'm still glad I found you there

Verse 1

A cracked plastic box on your knee Salt folded in paper, careful and neat You split the eggs and hand me one Simple as that, and the day feels won

Pre-chorus

Nothing about us needs to be grand You pass me salt, I take your hand Something is building, soft and true

Chorus

Effie, you keep me steady and calm Effie, your love is a kind of balm Two simple names on gingham cloth I'd choose this over anything else

Verse 2

Some love comes loud, all fire and noise Ours is quieter, and still it holds You laugh with salt still on your thumb I think, this is the good life come

Bridge

I don't need more than this small square Your knee, this box, the same soft air However long we've got or new I only ever want the view of you

Chorus

Effie, you keep me steady and calm Effie, your love is a kind of balm Two simple names on gingham cloth I'd choose this over anything else

Outro

Fold the paper, close the lid This is the love I always did

Verse 1

High in the cedar the yellow eyes blink slow tonight Watching the dark like a friend who will never leave Nothing can reach you while you are held so tight There is no reason for you to grieve

Chorus

Effie, the night is a blanket woven just for you Effie, I'm here and I'm steady as the rocking chair Somebody loves you more than the whole sky's dark and blue Sleep now, my darling, there is nothing you need fear

Verse 2

The branch holds still while the wind goes wandering by Somewhere a small owl keeps its lonely, patient post You are the reason I would learn to fly You are the one I love the most

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the evening grow softer still Let the whole wide world go quiet and gently fade Sleep is coming slow, the way it always will

Chorus

Effie, the night is a blanket woven just for you Effie, I'm here and I'm steady as the rocking chair Somebody loves you more than the whole sky's dark and blue Sleep now, my darling, there is nothing you need fear

Bridge

Rest your small hand, let it rest right here on mine Nothing in the dark was ever meant to be a warning You are so loved, you are so deeply mine Sleep until the soft return of morning

Chorus

Effie, the night is a blanket woven just for you Effie, I'm here and I'm steady as the rocking chair Somebody loves you more than the whole sky's dark and blue Sleep now, my darling, there is nothing you need fear

Outro

The yellow eyes have closed now, up in their cedar tree Sleep on, my Effie, safe as anyone could be

Verse 1

Down in the grate the last flame is bending low letting the bright red hush into a gentle glow nothing is lost, it only turns to rest and sleep comes to you soft and slow

Pre-chorus

Somewhere behind your eyes a small fire still hums warm as a hand that never lets you go hold onto that glow, love, while the quiet comes

Chorus

Effie, the coals are turning gentle now close your eyes, let the whole house grow slow steady as breathing, heavy as sleep Effie, you are held, you are safe, you are so

Verse 2

Ash falls soft as a blanket laid on the night curling grey over embers that glimmer below you are the warmth that stays under all of that quiet tucked in deep where the cold cannot go

Bridge

Rest now, the room remembers how to be still every small breath of yours settles the air nothing will wake you, nothing at all, until morning comes soft to find you still there

Chorus

Effie, the coals are turning gentle now close your eyes, let the whole house grow slow steady as breathing, heavy as sleep Effie, you are held, you are safe, you are so

Outro

Somewhere the grate holds its low, quiet glow and you, little Effie, are held even so

Verse 1

Silver spokes are spinning slow through falling evening rain Turning gentle circles till the dark comes round again Oak leaves make a canopy to keep you dry and warm Nothing in this whole wide night will ever bring you harm

Chorus

Effie, close your eyes now, let the quiet hold you steady Rain is singing soft above and you are always ready Effie, you are treasured more than any bevy could contain Rest inside the sound of spokes still turning in the rain

Verse 2

Every drop that falls tonight is falling just for you Painting all the sleepy dark in silver and in blue Wheels keep turning gently as the hours drift away Carrying you softly to the edge of another day

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the rain keep time upon the leaves above you Nothing in the dark tonight will ever stop this love, you Feel it winding round you like the spokes that never fall

Chorus

Effie, close your eyes now, let the quiet hold you steady Rain is singing soft above and you are always ready Effie, you are treasured more than any bevy could contain Rest inside the sound of spokes still turning in the rain

Bridge

Under leaves the night grows still and soft as breath can be Safe beneath the oak's wide arms, there's nowhere else to be

Chorus

Effie, close your eyes now, let the quiet hold you steady Rain is singing soft above and you are always ready Effie, you are treasured more than any bevy could contain Rest inside the sound of spokes still turning in the rain

Outro

The spokes go turning softer now beneath the sleepy trees Sleep, and know you're held as gently as the falling leaves