Songs for Helen

Verse 1

Coats piled up on the stair Every friend came through the door We climbed over them for you Because you're worth so much more

Pre-chorus

Listen how the house is singing Feel the noise start climbing higher Something good is coming for you

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light the candles There's a story we could tell in Every year that you've been with us Every heart that you could dwell in

Verse 2

Somebody's shouting out your name Somebody's pouring out the wine We keep bumping through the hallway Just to get you in that line

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light the candles There's a story we could tell in Every year that you've been with us Every heart that you could dwell in

Bridge

We don't need the perfect table Just the noise of you laughing loud You could stand still in a crowded room And still be the reason for the crowd

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light the candles There's a story we could tell in Every year that you've been with us Every heart that you could dwell in

Outro

Coats still waiting on that stair We're glad you're the one they're for

Verse 1

The paper's tumbling off the step You laugh and let it go Every ribbon dancing where you swept You put on quite a show

Chorus

Helen, light the candles bright We're singing loud for you Helen, you're our best delight There's no one else will do

Verse 2

That wrapping blows out to the street You chase it down the walk You turn the chasing into something sweet You turn a mess to talk

Pre-chorus

We piled the gifts up high for you We tied the bows with care Now everybody's leaning into

Chorus

Helen, light the candles bright We're singing loud for you Helen, you're our best delight There's no one else will do

Bridge

However far that paper flies You bring us all back home However wild the wind and skies You're never left alone

Chorus

Helen, light the candles bright We're singing loud for you Helen, you're our best delight There's no one else will do

Outro

Let the paper tumble on We're glad that you were born

Verse 1

Dust on the brass this morning Caught the light without warning You walked in and stopped the room Like the sun cutting through the gloom

Pre-chorus

Everybody here has a story to tell in One way or another it comes back to Helen So lift up your glass before

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light of this place Nowhere I'd rather spend today's grace You make the ordinary shine and swell There's a kind of magic you dwell in

Verse 2

The scales don't weigh what you're worth No number fits since your day of birth You give more than the room can hold Every year you're better than gold

Pre-chorus

Everybody here has a story to tell in One way or another it comes back to Helen So lift up your glass before

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light of this place Nowhere I'd rather spend today's grace You make the ordinary shine and swell There's a kind of magic you dwell in

Bridge

Another year, another candle lit Another proof that you're worth all of it We're glad you're here, we're glad you came

Chorus

Helen, Helen, light of this place Nowhere I'd rather spend today's grace You make the ordinary shine and swell There's a kind of magic you dwell in

Outro

Dust still settles soft as ever Helen, may your shine last forever

Verse 1

Cold coat, thin railing, rust under my hand Your sleeve keeps finding mine again I never planned on standing here But I'd stand here again

Pre-chorus

You don't say much, you don't need to Something in me settles when you're near It's building toward saying your name

Chorus

Helen, I could tell you plainly This is quieter than it looks You're the warmth I didn't ask for Helen, you're the one I chose

Verse 2

Wind comes up and pushes us closer Your shoulder leans, I let it stay There's a kind of ease in this That I don't want to give away

Pre-chorus

You don't say much, you don't need to Something in me settles when you're near It's building toward saying your name

Chorus

Helen, I could tell you plainly This is quieter than it looks You're the warmth I didn't ask for Helen, you're the one I chose

Bridge

No grand words, just this railing No proof but the way you stay I'm not looking for anything else Not tonight, not any day

Chorus

Helen, I could tell you plainly This is quieter than it looks You're the warmth I didn't ask for Helen, you're the one I chose

Outro

Sleeves brushing, rust and cold hands Still the closest I want to stand

Verse 1

Light moves across the glass Then it's gone before I speak Your hand is close to mine That's the only thing I seek

Pre-chorus

We don't need the radio on Silence says enough tonight So I turn to find you

Chorus

Helen, you're the calm I chose Nothing here I'd rather do Engine ticking as it slows Every quiet leads to you

Verse 2

Cars go by and disappear Their light swings and then it's through Nothing outside matters much Not when I am next to you

Bridge

Some nights don't need a single word Some love just sits and stays Your hand hasn't moved an inch That says more than words could say

Chorus

Helen, you're the calm I chose Nothing here I'd rather do Engine ticking as it slows Every quiet leads to you

Outro

The light sweeps once more and fades Your hand stays right where it was

Verse 1

The phone goes face down on the wood You look at me the way you should Steam curls up from the mug you hold This little kitchen feels like gold

Pre-chorus

No message waits that I need more Nothing out there I'm reaching for Just this quiet, and this door

Chorus

Helen, you're the calm I chose Helen, this is how it goes No noise left that I need to sell in There's a peace I only dwell in

Verse 2

The evening slows, the kettle sighs You catch my eye and I catch yours Nothing loud, nothing to prove Just two cups and no need to move

Pre-chorus

No message waits that I need more Nothing out there I'm reaching for Just this quiet, and this door

Chorus

Helen, you're the calm I chose Helen, this is how it goes No noise left that I need to sell in There's a peace I only dwell in

Bridge

Let the world knock if it wants to I'm not moving, I chose you Whatever's out there it can wait You're the only thing I'll take

Chorus

Helen, you're the calm I chose Helen, this is how it goes No noise left that I need to sell in There's a peace I only dwell in

Outro

The mug goes cold, the table stays You're still the warmth in all my days

Verse 1

Heavy wool falling soft over cotton knees tonight holds you closer than any word ever might Your small breaths are slowing, your eyelids grow deep and here in this chair, love, we drift toward sleep

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the fringe of the blanket is still every shadow is gentle, every light on the sill Close your eyes, little one, let the evening take hold

Chorus

Helen, my Helen, the dark cannot dwell in this warm little corner where love comes to sell in Helen, my Helen, sleep deep and sleep well safe in this quiet where no fear can dwell

Verse 2

Somewhere outside the wind hums its low, easy song but nothing can reach where you're wrapped up so long You curl like a question that needs no reply just the rise of your chest and the hush of a sigh

Chorus

Helen, my Helen, the dark cannot dwell in this warm little corner where love comes to sell in Helen, my Helen, sleep deep and sleep well safe in this quiet where no fear can dwell

Bridge

Let the day fold away like a coat on a chair you are held, you are kept, you are always the care Nothing tonight needs an answer or name only this rocking, this warmth, and this same

Chorus

Helen, my Helen, the dark cannot dwell in this warm little corner where love comes to sell in Helen, my Helen, sleep deep and sleep well safe in this quiet where no fear can dwell

Outro

Sleep now beneath the old wool's gentle weight love will be waiting when morning comes late

Verse 1

The little wax stump is melting down soft and slow on the floor Down into the brass where it settles and glows a bit more On the boards where the shadows go quiet and wide You are held here tonight, you could not want for anything more

Pre-chorus

The flame is bending lower now, giving up its last light Every worry of the day is folding into the night So close your eyes, love, and drift where the dark is kind

Chorus

Helen, the house has gone soft and still around you Nothing tonight has the power to trouble or hound you There is a hush that the whole wide dark seems to dwell in And whatever you dream, I will be here beside you

Verse 2

The saucer holds all that is left of a long burning day Just a small pool of gold that will cool and fade away You are worth more than all of the light in the world Sleep now, there is nothing that needs you to stay

Bridge

Let the last little flicker sink down and go out Nothing can reach you, there is nothing to doubt

Chorus

Helen, the house has gone soft and still around you Nothing tonight has the power to trouble or hound you There is a hush that the whole wide dark seems to dwell in And whatever you dream, I will be here beside you

Outro

The wax has gone still and the brass has gone cold and quiet Sleep on, little one, safe in the dark and the quiet

Verse 1

Rain is drawing slow lines down the dark windowpane tonight Every drop is catching gold from the streetlamp's amber glow Nothing out there needs your worry, nothing needs your fight You are warm and you are held while the quiet starts to grow

Pre-chorus

The light outside is softening into streaks we cannot name Your breathing slows to match the hush that settles on the frame So let the whole wide night dissolve to just this gentle flame

Chorus

Helen, close your eyes now, let the amber streaks all blur There is nowhere warmer than this quiet room to dwell in I will stay right here to watch the porch light and the stir Helen, you're the softest word I ever learned the spell in

Verse 2

Somewhere past the glass the town is turning down its noise Every hurried step outside has slowed to almost none You don't need to chase the day or hold its weight or poise Only need to rest, my dear, now that the light is done

Chorus

Helen, close your eyes now, let the amber streaks all blur There is nowhere warmer than this quiet room to dwell in I will stay right here to watch the porch light and the stir Helen, you're the softest word I ever learned the spell in

Bridge

Drop by drop the glass is singing something low and slow Nothing in this house tonight will ever let you fall You are safer than the streetlights, safer than the glow

Chorus

Helen, close your eyes now, let the amber streaks all blur There is nowhere warmer than this quiet room to dwell in I will stay right here to watch the porch light and the stir Helen, you're the softest word I ever learned the spell in

Outro

The glass has gone to stillness, every amber drop asleep And you are held here softer than the quiet it will keep