Songs for Irene

Verse 1

Boxes stacked up by the freezer Waiting on the morning light Nothing in that corner shop Shines the way you shine tonight

Pre-chorus

We've been counting down the days Marking every hour between Something's building, get up close

Chorus

Happy birthday to you, Irene Loudest voice in the whole canteen Sing it high and sing it clean Nobody sparkles like Irene

Verse 2

Cardboard piled up in the corner Nothing special, nothing grand But you'd make it feel like Christmas Just by walking in and standing

Chorus

Happy birthday to you, Irene Loudest voice in the whole canteen Sing it high and sing it clean Nobody sparkles like Irene

Bridge

Grab a spoon and bang the table Someone find a tambourine We are here because we love you Every bit of in between

Chorus

Happy birthday to you, Irene Loudest voice in the whole canteen Sing it high and sing it clean Nobody sparkles like Irene

Outro

Stack the boxes, dim the light You're the reason we came tonight

Verse 1

Yellow ticket flapping in the wind Held on tight, you never once grinned Standing there so cool and so serene Waiting for the best day, sixteen

Chorus

Irene, you light the whole platform up Something in your walk, your strut Irene, we're clapping, we're on our feet Nobody moves like you down that street

Verse 2

You blow in like a train running late Everybody's heart skips, can't wait You've got that swing, that funky routine We line up just to watch the scene

Pre-chorus

Count it down, here comes the beat Feel it rising through your feet Something big is in between

Chorus

Irene, you light the whole platform up Something in your walk, your strut Irene, we're clapping, we're on our feet Nobody moves like you down that street

Bridge

Shake that tambourine tonight Every year you shine more bright We're cheering loud, we're cheering true

Chorus

Irene, you light the whole platform up Something in your walk, your strut Irene, we're clapping, we're on our feet Nobody moves like you down that street

Outro

That yellow ticket's ours to keep You're the reason this whole room leaps

Verse 1

I dropped the flowers by the toaster Ran to grab the phone instead Your voice came through and stopped me Every plan fell out of my head

Pre-chorus

Now the petals are scattered on the tile But my whole day just turned around Something in me wants to shout it

Chorus

Happy birthday, Irene, my heart is so full You make the whole kitchen gleam Nobody lights up a room like Irene You're brighter than gold, you're serene

Verse 2

You always ring right when I'm busy Never once ask what's the cost Some folks would wait for a better time With you, no minute's ever lost

Pre-chorus

Now the petals are scattered on the tile But my whole day just turned around Something in me wants to shout it

Chorus

Happy birthday, Irene, my heart is so full You make the whole kitchen gleam Nobody lights up a room like Irene You're brighter than gold, you're serene

Bridge

However far you wander, you still find your way home However long the silence, you still pick up the phone Every single year you make it feel brand new

Chorus

Happy birthday, Irene, my heart is so full You make the whole kitchen gleam Nobody lights up a room like Irene You're brighter than gold, you're serene

Outro

I'll pick those daffodils up later Right now I just want to say your name

Verse 1

Vinegar bottle passed hand to hand Nothing about it was ever grand Queue moving slow in the cold night air I only felt lucky that you were there

Chorus

Irene, you make the plain things gleam Steady as any love could ever seem Between the small talk, between the noise You're still the one I'd choose, of all my choices

Verse 2

Years might blur but that night stays clear Chip paper warm and you standing near You laughed at nothing, I laughed right back That's the whole of it, nothing we lack

Pre-chorus

I don't need grand to know it's true Just a queue, a bottle, and you Something in me still leans your way

Chorus

Irene, you make the plain things gleam Steady as any love could ever seem Between the small talk, between the noise You're still the one I'd choose, of all my choices

Bridge

No need for fireworks, no big scene Just your hand finding mine, in between That's where I've always wanted to be

Chorus

Irene, you make the plain things gleam Steady as any love could ever seem Between the small talk, between the noise You're still the one I'd choose, of all my choices

Outro

Pass it back, love, hand to hand Still the best queue I ever stand

Verse 1

Red fabric caught between two knuckles holding on so nothing spills you angle it to keep me dry and never mind the chill

Pre-chorus

I never asked you for the shelter you just leaned in, calm and keen now look what standing close has started

Chorus

Irene, you keep the weather off me softer than a tambourine steady as a heart between beats nothing calms me like Irene

Verse 2

We walk slower than we need to stretching out the in between you talk low so I lean closer that's the trick you always mean

Pre-chorus

I never asked you for the shelter you just leaned in, calm and keen now look what standing close has started

Chorus

Irene, you keep the weather off me softer than a tambourine steady as a heart between beats nothing calms me like Irene

Bridge

No grand storm, no big scene just your hand and the space between that's the whole of it, Irene

Chorus

Irene, you keep the weather off me softer than a tambourine steady as a heart between beats nothing calms me like Irene

Outro

Fabric folded, rain long finished still I feel you holding on

Verse 1

Early light comes through the blind Milk bottles knock the bottom step I hear that sound and I don't mind You're the reason I still keep

Pre-chorus

Nothing loud about the way you stay Nothing sudden in how you feel I want to say it plain today

Chorus

Irene, you steady every room Some kind of calm that I can't name Between the waking and the noon Irene, you feel the same

Verse 2

You leave the back door on the latch Like you know I'm coming through Nothing about us needs to match I just want a life with you

Bridge

No grand thing I could ever bring Just the step, the light, the wait You make the ordinary sing

Chorus

Irene, you steady every room Some kind of calm that I can't name Between the waking and the noon Irene, you feel the same

Outro

Bottles still knock against the brick I'm glad it's you I'm coming home to

Verse 1

A yellow strip of light is glowing soft beneath the door The corridor is quiet and the house has gone to rest Nothing in the dark tonight is coming near you anymore You are the one I love the most and held the very best

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the day go drifting out of reach Every worry folds up small and settles into sleep There is nothing you need carry, nothing you need keep

Chorus

Irene, sleep now, calm and slow and warm and serene Nothing stirs beyond the door, no need to intervene You are held here safely, tucked in soft between Irene, dream now, quiet as an evergreen

Verse 2

The hallway light stays burning while you settle into rest No shadow ever passes that could reach you where you lie I will keep the whole night gentle, easy, second best To the peace that fills this room each time I hear you sigh

Chorus

Irene, sleep now, calm and slow and warm and serene Nothing stirs beyond the door, no need to intervene You are held here safely, tucked in soft between Irene, dream now, quiet as an evergreen

Bridge

Hush now, nothing asks for you until the morning comes Rest inside the quiet, let it carry where it will

Chorus

Irene, sleep now, calm and slow and warm and serene Nothing stirs beyond the door, no need to intervene You are held here safely, tucked in soft between Irene, dream now, quiet as an evergreen

Outro

The yellow light still glows there, soft beneath the door Sleep on, you are so loved, and loved a little more

Verse 1

Heavy drops are sliding down the wooden frame tonight Rolling soft and slow like they are chasing candlelight Nothing out there needs to reach you, nothing needs to try You are warm and you are wanted, safe beneath this sky

Pre-chorus

Let the window keep its whispers, let the dark be kind Every drop is only music written just to wind Close your eyes and let the hush come pulling gently in

Chorus

Irene, the rain is falling soft and slow and serene Nothing in this quiet house is sharper than it's been Sleep is just a river running easy and between Irene, my Irene, calm as any evergreen

Verse 2

Somewhere out beyond the glass the streets are turning grey Here the lamp is low and gold and holding night at bay Every little sound outside is only passing through Nothing in the wide dark world could ever trouble you

Bridge

Rest your head where all the noise goes soft and far away Morning always finds you here no matter how you lay

Chorus

Irene, the rain is falling soft and slow and serene Nothing in this quiet house is sharper than it's been Sleep is just a river running easy and between Irene, my Irene, calm as any evergreen

Outro

The wooden frame still holds the rain, still keeps it soft and slow Sleep now, you are held here, and I will not let you go

Verse 1

Far off the tracks are catching a faint orange glow tonight Soft as the hush that settles when the whole wide world goes still You are held closer than the warmth of any train light Safe in this room while shadows learn to lie down and be still

Pre-chorus

Close now your eyes and let the distant whistle fade away Nothing tonight can reach you, nothing here will lead you astray I'll stay right here while the dark turns soft and easy and grey

Chorus

Irene, the night is holding you so gently and serene Sleep finds you like a quiet, well worn, well loved routine Nothing can touch you here, not one thing has ever been between This love and you, my steady, my own evergreen

Verse 2

The rails hum low out yonder like a lullaby half sung Carrying light from somewhere far to settle where you rest You are the warmest corner that this whole night has found Wrapped up and certain, held the way that matters best

Pre-chorus

Close now your eyes and let the distant whistle fade away Nothing tonight can reach you, nothing here will lead you astray I'll stay right here while the dark turns soft and easy and grey

Chorus

Irene, the night is holding you so gently and serene Sleep finds you like a quiet, well worn, well loved routine Nothing can touch you here, not one thing has ever been between This love and you, my steady, my own evergreen

Bridge

Somewhere a train moves slow through the sleeping fields and trees Carrying nothing that matters more than this small room and you Rest now, there's nowhere safer than right here with me

Chorus

Irene, the night is holding you so gently and serene Sleep finds you like a quiet, well worn, well loved routine Nothing can touch you here, not one thing has ever been between This love and you, my steady, my own evergreen

Outro

The light on the tracks has dimmed now, soft as breath, easing low Sleep well, sleep deep, I am here, and I will not go