Songs for Frank

Verse 1

You marked the door with chalk each year Every mark a mile you'd grown Rusted spades still lean and wait But that whole shed feels like your own

Pre-chorus

We counted every line you made Watched you climb past every plank Now the room is holding breath

Chorus

Frank, oh Frank, we're raising glasses Nobody fills a room like Frank Every year you're worth the toasting Frank, we're grateful, Frank, we thank

Verse 2

You'd stand there grinning, chalk in hand Marking up another year Rust and green and your bright laugh That's the sound we hold most dear

Pre-chorus

We counted every line you made Watched you climb past every plank Now the room is holding breath

Chorus

Frank, oh Frank, we're raising glasses Nobody fills a room like Frank Every year you're worth the toasting Frank, we're grateful, Frank, we thank

Bridge

However far you wander off We'll keep a mark here on the plank You're the reason we all gather Never once will we grow blank

Chorus

Frank, oh Frank, we're raising glasses Nobody fills a room like Frank Every year you're worth the toasting Frank, we're grateful, Frank, we thank

Outro

One more mark upon the door Frank, we're glad you're in this bank

Verse 1

Old bikes rust down by the water Green weed pulling at the spokes Nothing sinks that's worth the saving You're the one who never sank

Pre-chorus

Fill the glasses, pull the chairs round Somebody find the fiddle strings Tonight the whole room's leaning forward

Chorus

Frank, you're the reason we came out tonight Frank, you're the toast and you're the plank we walk with pride Nobody here would swap you for the bank We're only here because of Frank

Verse 2

Apple cores drift on past the bicycles Nothing wasted, nothing lost You take the bruised bits and you thank them Turn the ruined into gold

Chorus

Frank, you're the reason we came out tonight Frank, you're the toast and you're the plank we walk with pride Nobody here would swap you for the bank We're only here because of Frank

Bridge

Stand up straight and take your yank of applause However far you've come, however far you'll go We'll follow you past any rank or reason Just say the word and we'll all trail along

Chorus

Frank, you're the reason we came out tonight Frank, you're the toast and you're the plank we walk with pride Nobody here would swap you for the bank We're only here because of Frank

Outro

Let the old wheels keep on turning Frank, you're the one who never sank

Verse 1

Somebody grab that old wood crate Turn it over, don't be late We need it high so you can stand With a glass of something in your hand

Pre-chorus

Under the table where the salt rings dried Every good story's been told and lied Tonight the room is leaning in

Chorus

Frank, get up here, take your place Let the whole room see your face We came for you and only you Happy birthday, Frank, we mean it true

Verse 2

That table's held a hundred nights Sticky glasses, low warm lights But it never held a name so fine So climb up, Frank, this minute's thine

Bridge

We're not clapping for the crate We're clapping 'cause you're worth the wait One more year and here you stand The best thing in this crowded land

Chorus

Frank, get up here, take your place Let the whole room see your face We came for you and only you Happy birthday, Frank, we mean it true

Outro

Set the crate back by the wall We'll pull it out next year and all

Verse 1

Leaves are tumbling past the fence Nothing here holds its place Grass still damp from last night's rain But you, you make no sudden move

Pre-chorus

I've watched things scatter, watched them go Watched the wire rust slow But you keep standing where you stood

Chorus

Frank, you're the one thing that don't drift Steady when the wind won't lift I never have to check you're there Frank, that's the whole of my one gift

Verse 2

Some leaves catch and spin in place Some just sink into the ground I used to think that love moved fast You taught me slow can be the truth

Pre-chorus

I've watched things scatter, watched them go Watched the wire rust slow But you keep standing where you stood

Chorus

Frank, you're the one thing that don't drift Steady when the wind won't lift I never have to check you're there Frank, that's the whole of my one gift

Bridge

No need to chase what doesn't run No need to hold what's already home You're not the wind, you're not the leaves You're the ground that lets them land

Chorus

Frank, you're the one thing that don't drift Steady when the wind won't lift I never have to check you're there Frank, that's the whole of my one gift

Outro

Let the leaves keep tumbling past the fence I'm just glad you're standing here

Verse 1

Boots by the door still caked in mud Steam rising off the mugs we made I didn't plan on loving you It just happened, unafraid

Pre-chorus

You never make it a big scene You just show up, steady and true Come closer, let me say your name

Chorus

Frank, you're the calm I lean into The tea gone cold and I don't mind Nobody holds a room like Frank You're the best thing I could find

Verse 2

The slab is cracked beneath our feet Morning light is thin and grey You hand me mine before I ask That's the kind of love that stays

Chorus

Frank, you're the calm I lean into The tea gone cold and I don't mind Nobody holds a room like Frank You're the best thing I could find

Bridge

No grand plans, just this small ground Just two mugs and muddy shoes I could stand here every day Long as I get to stand with you

Chorus

Frank, you're the calm I lean into The tea gone cold and I don't mind Nobody holds a room like Frank You're the best thing I could find

Outro

Boots by the door, the mugs still there Frank, I'd choose this every time

Verse 1

Light falls slow across the floor dust turns over near the door books lie open where they fell and I love you, I won't pretend I can't tell

Chorus

Frank, you steady me like ground best thing here that I have found every quiet hour we spend Frank, you're my beginning and my end

Verse 2

You reach down to turn a page careful like it holds your age sun moves on but you stay still and I love you more than I ever will spill

Pre-chorus

I could list the small things here how you laugh, how you stay near but the truth just wants to land

Chorus

Frank, you steady me like ground best thing here that I have found every quiet hour we spend Frank, you're my beginning and my end

Bridge

No one else has ever made a room feel this way half the light, half the reason I stay

Chorus

Frank, you steady me like ground best thing here that I have found every quiet hour we spend Frank, you're my beginning and my end

Outro

Dust still turns above the rug this is love, plain as a hug

Verse 1

Wheels have stopped turning and the yard has gone quiet and still Dark leaves are brushing soft against the fading evening chill Somewhere a breeze moves gentle through the old canvas shade You are the reason this whole tired day was made

Chorus

Frank, my love, the night is soft and low Close your eyes now, let the spinning slow Frank, there's nothing here that you should fear Every shadow's kind because you're here

Verse 2

Somewhere a spoke still glimmers silver in the dying light Holding still the hush that settles gently into night You curl up warm beneath the blankets, safe and small I will keep you closer than the dark to it all

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let your breathing find its slow and steady time Let the grey above you turn to velvet as you climb Somewhere between the leaves and sleep, I'm holding you

Chorus

Frank, my love, the night is soft and low Close your eyes now, let the spinning slow Frank, there's nothing here that you should fear Every shadow's kind because you're here

Bridge

Let the wheel outside stop spinning, let the branches rest their arms Nothing in this quiet dark can ever bring you harm

Chorus

Frank, my love, the night is soft and low Close your eyes now, let the spinning slow Frank, there's nothing here that you should fear Every shadow's kind because you're here

Outro

The leaves have stilled their whisper, and the spokes have gone to rest Sleep now, little one, you're held, you're loved, you're blessed

Verse 1

The water moves so softly by the old wooden bank Rocking slow in a rhythm only night understands And you are held here safely, warm within every plank Wrapped in the kind of quiet that never asks demands

Pre-chorus

Somewhere a metal ring is turning gently in the dark Holding the rope that keeps you close and keeps you still Let your eyes grow heavy now, there's nothing left to spark

Chorus

Frank, the night is wide but you are small and safe within it Sleep is calling softly, let it carry you away Every star above has waited patiently to begin it Frank, you're held so gently till the coming of the day

Verse 2

No wave will ever reach you, no current pulls too strong Painted wood beneath you keeps its promise through the night Somewhere far above you the darkness hums a quiet song Just for you to rest in until morning brings the light

Chorus

Frank, the night is wide but you are small and safe within it Sleep is calling softly, let it carry you away Every star above has waited patiently to begin it Frank, you're held so gently till the coming of the day

Bridge

Nothing here will hurry you, nothing here will fade Only slow and easy breaths in the gentle shade

Chorus

Frank, the night is wide but you are small and safe within it Sleep is calling softly, let it carry you away Every star above has waited patiently to begin it Frank, you're held so gently till the coming of the day

Outro

The water settles softer now against the painted wood You are loved as surely as the night is understood

Verse 1

A narrow beam of yellow light lies soft across the floor It slips beneath the curtain like it's tiptoeing to the door It moves so slow across the wood, it hardly seems to slide And it settles where you're lying, and it won't ask for more

Pre-chorus

The house breathes low and quiet now, the day has laid it down Every worry folds up small and leaves without a sound So let your eyes grow heavy as the hush wraps all around

Chorus

Frank, the light is fading gold and soft upon the floor Nothing in this whole wide world could love you any more Close your eyes, my darling Frank, and drift away from shore You are safe here, you are held here, Frank, forevermore

Verse 2

The floorboards creak the way they always creak beneath the night They hold the weight of quiet like they're keeping watch till light You don't need to worry over shadows on the wall Every corner of this room is wrapped in warm and right

Chorus

Frank, the light is fading gold and soft upon the floor Nothing in this whole wide world could love you any more Close your eyes, my darling Frank, and drift away from shore You are safe here, you are held here, Frank, forevermore

Bridge

Sleep will carry you out gentle, further than the light can reach Past the window, past the hallway, past the things that words could teach There's a quiet kind of loving that never needs to raise its voice

Chorus

Frank, the light is fading gold and soft upon the floor Nothing in this whole wide world could love you any more Close your eyes, my darling Frank, and drift away from shore You are safe here, you are held here, Frank, forevermore

Outro

The beam has thinned to nothing but the dark is warm and kind Sleep now, Frank, the whole night through, with love you'll always find