Songs for Elsi

Verse 1

Wheels came rattling down the lane Metal railings sang your name Nothing about you stayed the same Yet you're always somehow Elsi, plain

Pre-chorus

Clap your hands, the day is here Bring the noise the whole room can hear We've been waiting on this one all year

Chorus

Elsi, ring that bell out loud Bring the whole street, bring the crowd Nobody lights a room like Elsi now We are singing your name proud

Verse 2

Brick walls held that old school still Tyres spinning fast downhill Something in you rides that thrill Chasing joy however it will

Bridge

Another year of you arrives Every candle knows you're alive Let the whole table shake tonight

Chorus

Elsi, ring that bell out loud Bring the whole street, bring the crowd Nobody lights a room like Elsi now We are singing your name proud

Outro

Wheels still rattle down that lane We're glad you came, we're glad you came

Verse 1

You set two mugs upon the table waiting there while you're still able brown paper parcels tied with string hold your breath for what they bring

Pre-chorus

Every year the kettle's steaming every year we catch you beaming so let the candle start to glow

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, light the room tonight you make this ordinary table bright Elsi, we are cheering, loud and true there's no birthday like the one with you

Verse 2

You untie the string so slowly savour every moment, holy laughing at the paper's crease we would never want you rushing this to cease

Bridge

Another candle, another year gone by still the same old sparkle in your eye however far you travel, however long you roam this table with two mugs will always call you home

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, light the room tonight you make this ordinary table bright Elsi, we are cheering, loud and true there's no birthday like the one with you

Outro

So keep the string, and keep the mugs nearby we'll toast to you until the candles die

Verse 1

Grey little bubbles turning slow Catch the kitchen light and glow Watching that glass go round Makes me think of you, you know

Pre-chorus

Something in that quiet spin Says a good year's tucked within So let the candles catch and grin

Chorus

Happy birthday, Elsi, come on shine Every year you're looking fine Blow it out and make a wish This whole room is glad you're mine

Verse 2

Foam keeps turning, soft and white Like the day just got its light Nobody hums a room up warm The way you do without a fight

Pre-chorus

Something in that quiet spin Says a good year's tucked within So let the candles catch and grin

Chorus

Happy birthday, Elsi, come on shine Every year you're looking fine Blow it out and make a wish This whole room is glad you're mine

Bridge

Round and round the good times go Landing right where you are, Elsi Steady as that turning glow

Chorus

Happy birthday, Elsi, come on shine Every year you're looking fine Blow it out and make a wish This whole room is glad you're mine

Outro

Let the bubbles keep on turning Happy birthday, our light still burning

Verse 1

Rust don't care how hard it rains the bolt still holds against the strain I've watched it grip through wind and tide that's how you hold me, no complains

Chorus

Elsi, you're the one that stays steady through my roughest days I never doubt what we've got here Elsi, you're worth all my praise

Verse 2

The planks get soaked, the grey comes in but nothing pulls them loose again you keep me fastened when it's rough that kind of love don't ever thin

Pre-chorus

I've seen soft things wash clean away but you're not built that way something in me starts to sway

Chorus

Elsi, you're the one that stays steady through my roughest days I never doubt what we've got here Elsi, you're worth all my praise

Bridge

Let the tide come, let it try I'm not letting this get by you're the iron, I'm the wood and together we stand high

Chorus

Elsi, you're the one that stays steady through my roughest days I never doubt what we've got here Elsi, you're worth all my praise

Outro

Rust or shine, we hold our ground that's the love that I have found

Verse 1

Dust hangs gold in the hallway light Nothing moves and nothing needs to I could watch it half the evening Just for something that reminds me of you

Pre-chorus

Some loves come in loud and fast Ours just settled, soft as morning Still I feel it building now

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm in every room No need to raise your voice to steady me Some folk chase the noise and never find it Elsi, you were always here to see

Verse 2

The lamp burns low along the wall Everything else has gone to sleep But I'm still thinking of your hands And how you laugh so soft and deep

Pre-chorus

Some loves come in loud and fast Ours just settled, soft as morning Still I feel it building now

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm in every room No need to raise your voice to steady me Some folk chase the noise and never find it Elsi, you were always here to see

Bridge

I don't need the whole house lit One small window's warmth will do Long as it falls where you are standing Long as some of it finds you too

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm in every room No need to raise your voice to steady me Some folk chase the noise and never find it Elsi, you were always here to see

Outro

The dust will settle, light will fade But you're the warmth that always stayed

Verse 1

I set you down soft as morning light You keep me standing, holding tight Cold dew on glass, still and true That is how I feel about you

Pre-chorus

No need for shouting, no need to prove I just found my steady groove And now my heart's about to move

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm I found Not loud like fireworks, just steady ground Elsi, quiet love runs deep You're the promise that I keep

Verse 2

Brick wall standing since I don't know when Holds its shape through wind and rain You're like that, unmoved, unbowed Never needing to be loud

Pre-chorus

No need for shouting, no need to prove I just found my steady groove And now my heart's about to move

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm I found Not loud like fireworks, just steady ground Elsi, quiet love runs deep You're the promise that I keep

Bridge

Some loves burn and fade by dawn Ours just carries quietly on

Chorus

Elsi, you're the calm I found Not loud like fireworks, just steady ground Elsi, quiet love runs deep You're the promise that I keep

Outro

Empty bottles still stand by the wall I'm still yours through it all

Verse 1

Droplets slide down the pane while you settle into sleep Every light outside goes soft and blurry in the deep You are folded into warmth that the whole night cannot reach Nothing out there in the fog is a promise you must keep

Pre-chorus

Let the glass hold the cold and the dark far from your bed Let the hush of the house settle gently round your head Close your eyes now, Elsi, there is nothing left to dread

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, hush now, hush Streetlamps blur to a golden brush Sleep is a hand that holds you still Nothing tonight can touch you, Elsi, love, be lush

Verse 2

Somewhere a window fogs while the streetlights start to swim You are the warmest thing in a night gone soft and dim Rain only taps to say that it cannot come inside Sleep now, and drift on out past the pane and past the rim

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, hush now, hush Streetlamps blur to a golden brush Sleep is a hand that holds you still Nothing tonight can touch you, Elsi, love, be lush

Bridge

Every blur outside is a light that means you are held Nothing in the fog can ever touch where you dwell

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, hush now, hush Streetlamps blur to a golden brush Sleep is a hand that holds you still Nothing tonight can touch you, Elsi, love, be lush

Outro

Let the glass keep sliding soft while the night stays away Sleep now, Elsi, safe till the first light of day

Verse 1

The oars are lying quiet on the water tonight No ripple left to wander, no current left to roam Under the willow the whole wide world grows still And this small boat is carrying you safely home

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes and let the dark be gentle now Every star above is watching over you Breathe out slow, there's nowhere left to go but

Chorus

Elsi, the night is holding you so tender Nothing here will ever let you fall Elsi, you are loved beyond all measure Sleep is soft and you are safe through it all

Verse 2

The branch of the willow trails along the water's edge And nothing in the dark tonight can do you harm You are the warmest light on this quiet river Wrapped up and drifting, held inside the calm

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes and let the dark be gentle now Every star above is watching over you Breathe out slow, there's nowhere left to go but

Chorus

Elsi, the night is holding you so tender Nothing here will ever let you fall Elsi, you are loved beyond all measure Sleep is soft and you are safe through it all

Bridge

No need to row, no need to steer or wander Just rest here while the water holds you still

Chorus

Elsi, the night is holding you so tender Nothing here will ever let you fall Elsi, you are loved beyond all measure Sleep is soft and you are safe through it all

Outro

The oars lie still, the willow leans in closer Sleep now, love, the water carries you

Verse 1

A cool little breeze comes to visit the room tonight it lifts the white curtains so soft and so light and under the blanket you're warm as can be safe as the moon hanging over the tree

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, the night holds you near every small sound has come to disappear close your two hands and let go of the day Elsi, my darling, just drift away

Verse 2

Somewhere outside a soft wind starts to hum it carries the hush of everywhere it's from and folds itself down where your pillow lies flat kissing your forehead and settling like that

Pre-chorus

Your breathing slows now, easy and low heavier eyelids, wherever you go sleep is just waiting to carry you in

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, the night holds you near every small sound has come to disappear close your two hands and let go of the day Elsi, my darling, just drift away

Bridge

No need to wander, no need to roam this quiet room is your own small home I'll stay right here till the morning light grows

Chorus

Elsi, Elsi, the night holds you near every small sound has come to disappear close your two hands and let go of the day Elsi, my darling, just drift away

Outro

The curtain settles, its drifting all done sleep soft, my Elsi, till morning has come