Songs for Esme

Verse 1

The tent above us starts to turn cold wind pulling at the rope but every face is turned to you you're the reason we all hope

Chorus

Esme, come and take our hands the whole room's calling out your name spin us round like canvas does Esme, you set us all aflame

Verse 2

Stripes of colour catch the light turning slow above the ground we came in from the cold for you glad that you are here and found

Pre-chorus

Someone's lighting up the candles someone's shouting out your age we're all waiting for the moment

Chorus

Esme, come and take our hands the whole room's calling out your name spin us round like canvas does Esme, you set us all aflame

Bridge

However far this wind has blown you we are standing where you land every year we'll pitch this tent again just to hold you, just to stand

Chorus

Esme, come and take our hands the whole room's calling out your name spin us round like canvas does Esme, you set us all aflame

Outro

Let the tent spin slow above us you're the one we're gathered for

Verse 1

Streamers tangled round the hoop Somebody's aim went out the loop But nobody minds the mess tonight We're all just here for you

Pre-chorus

Candles waiting, lights turned low Everybody's here to steal the show But it's your name we're about to shout

Chorus

Esme, light of every room Nothing here could feel like gloom Some folks shine but you're amazing Happy birthday, Esme, bloom

Verse 2

You always find the loudest laugh Turn a dull room into a photograph Even the paper streamers know They fall better when it's you

Bridge

Another year, another spin Look how far your light has been Whatever comes, however hazy We'll still be shouting out for you

Chorus

Esme, light of every room Nothing here could feel like gloom Some folks shine but you're amazing Happy birthday, Esme, bloom

Outro

The streamers still hang round that hoop Every year we'll cheer for you

Verse 1

Cold night, streetlight burning gold Your breath goes up, so bright and bold Everybody catches on You light a room before it's dawn

Pre-chorus

I've been counting down the days Waiting on this frosty blaze Something's coming, feel it rise

Chorus

Esme, Esme, hear us shout This is what the fuss is about Esme, you're a sight so hazy Bright and wild and never lazy

Verse 2

Candles catching, sparking light Warming up this whole cold night You walk in and hearts ignite Nobody's ever half so bright

Bridge

Raise your glass up, raise it high Sing it loud beneath the sky One more year of you around That's the best thing we have found

Chorus

Esme, Esme, hear us shout This is what the fuss is about Esme, you're a sight so hazy Bright and wild and never lazy

Outro

Cold night, breath still hanging there We're glad you're breathing our night air

Verse 1

Grass is catching on my boots tangled up in dusty roots you keep climbing, don't look back sure and steady on the track

Pre-chorus

I could lose the path up here lose the light as dusk draws near but I know you're always close

Chorus

Esme, you're the reason I keep going fields on fire, gold and glowing Esme, nothing here is ever hazy when you're near, the whole world's easy

Verse 2

Wind is moving through the field something in me finally healed you don't rush and you don't wait just walk on like it's not late

Chorus

Esme, you're the reason I keep going fields on fire, gold and glowing Esme, nothing here is ever hazy when you're near, the whole world's easy

Bridge

Doesn't matter where we roam any hillside feels like home long as you are next to me

Chorus

Esme, you're the reason I keep going fields on fire, gold and glowing Esme, nothing here is ever hazy when you're near, the whole world's easy

Outro

Grass will bend and fields will fade but I'm glad this walk was made

Verse 1

Blue cotton stretched across us both One coat, two hearts that agree Nothing fancy in the way we walk But you are steady company to me

Pre-chorus

I never planned on needing this This simple thing that we have made But here I am, and here I stay

Chorus

Esme, you keep the cold away Under one sky, close to me Nothing about you is ever hazy Esme, this is where I want to be

Verse 2

Some days the wind tries to pull us apart Still you hold the fabric tight We keep walking, no need to talk You make the ordinary feel right

Chorus

Esme, you keep the cold away Under one sky, close to me Nothing about you is ever hazy Esme, this is where I want to be

Bridge

I have loved you slow and I have loved you sure Through the loud days and the plain You never asked me to be anything more Than the one who walks beside you in the rain

Chorus

Esme, you keep the cold away Under one sky, close to me Nothing about you is ever hazy Esme, this is where I want to be

Outro

Blue cotton wrapped around us still You are the warmth I chose, and choose

Verse 1

Dust was drifting in the light Nobody else in sight I found you by the poetry shelf Turning pages slow and bright

Pre-chorus

You didn't notice me at first Lost in some line, some verse And I stood still, not saying a word Feeling the quiet start to burst

Chorus

Esme, you turned and the whole shop stilled Every corner softly filled Something in me finally spoke Esme, this is what I've always willed

Verse 2

You read me half a line out loud Laughing, a little proud I didn't know the poem at all But I loved the way it sounded

Bridge

No grand plan, no perfect sign Just old paper and your eyes meeting mine Something settled, something true I keep coming back to you

Chorus

Esme, you turned and the whole shop stilled Every corner softly filled Something in me finally spoke Esme, this is what I've always willed

Outro

Dust still drifts where we first stood Esme, that light was good

Verse 1

The oars are resting quiet against the wooden side Their long day of rowing has softly drifted through Everything that moved today has settled now and sighed And I am here beside you, holding on to you

Pre-chorus

The water outside has stilled to glass and grey Your breathing is slowing, matching the fading light Close your eyes now and drift away

Chorus

Sleep now, Esme, the night is soft and safe Nothing can reach you while I hold you near Wherever you drift to, Esme, you're never out of place You are so loved, Esme, you have nothing here to fear

Verse 2

The hull holds its stillness like a hand around a flame Every creak has quieted, every ripple gone to rest I will stay right here and watch you until sleep came With you tucked in safely, you are held, you are blessed

Pre-chorus

The water outside has stilled to glass and grey Your breathing is slowing, matching the fading light Close your eyes now and drift away

Chorus

Sleep now, Esme, the night is soft and safe Nothing can reach you while I hold you near Wherever you drift to, Esme, you're never out of place You are so loved, Esme, you have nothing here to fear

Bridge

Whatever the morning brings, you will not face it alone Tonight the whole wide world can wait outside the door

Chorus

Sleep now, Esme, the night is soft and safe Nothing can reach you while I hold you near Wherever you drift to, Esme, you're never out of place You are so loved, Esme, you have nothing here to fear

Outro

The oars can rest now, quiet against the side And you can rest now too, my love, and gently close your eyes

Verse 1

A pale little light is spilling soft beneath the door letting you know that somebody near is keeping watch the house settles down to breathing quiet on the floor and nothing in the dark tonight can touch you, not one notch

Chorus

Esme, the night is holding you so gently now close your eyes, Esme, and let the hours go hazy you are the calm this whole house gathers round somehow sleep on, my love, sleep on, however slow or lazy

Verse 2

The kind of hush that only falls when you're this loved wraps round the room and asks for nothing else tonight you don't need words to be the warmest thing I've thought of you are the reason this small light stays burning bright

Pre-chorus

Somewhere a clock is counting soft and slow and low your breathing finds its rhythm and the room agrees and everything I want for you begins to show

Chorus

Esme, the night is holding you so gently now close your eyes, Esme, and let the hours go hazy you are the calm this whole house gathers round somehow sleep on, my love, sleep on, however slow or lazy

Bridge

Rain on the window keeps its own quiet time and under it you drift where nothing needs to rhyme

Chorus

Esme, the night is holding you so gently now close your eyes, Esme, and let the hours go hazy you are the calm this whole house gathers round somehow sleep on, my love, sleep on, however slow or lazy

Outro

That same soft light still glows along the bottom of the door sleep easy now, you're held, you're safe, there's nothing more

Verse 1

Something taps the window slow, so gentle it could be a sigh the radiator hums a tune to keep the cold outside nothing in this room can ever come to harm you and you are held here safely as the hours drift by

Pre-chorus

Let the heavy rain go pattering wherever it may fall it can knock all night and never reach you here at all so close your eyes and settle deeper into calm

Chorus

Esme, the dark outside is soft and it is kind rain keeps its rhythm while you leave the day behind warm as the glow that sits beside your pillow Esme, there is nothing here you need to mind

Verse 2

The glass is cool but you are wrapped in something steady every drop that falls is just the night saying it's ready ready to carry you where all your dreams are waiting and hold you like a hand that always keeps you steady

Chorus

Esme, the dark outside is soft and it is kind rain keeps its rhythm while you leave the day behind warm as the glow that sits beside your pillow Esme, there is nothing here you need to mind

Bridge

Rain will run its own slow way till morning comes to call and none of it can touch the warmth that keeps you through it all

Chorus

Esme, the dark outside is soft and it is kind rain keeps its rhythm while you leave the day behind warm as the glow that sits beside your pillow Esme, there is nothing here you need to mind

Outro

Let the rain keep tapping soft against the pane above you sleep now, Esme, wrapped in all the warmth that loves you