Songs for Ismail

Verse 1

Cups crushed down on the wet grass We danced here till the night went past The water still moves slow by the gate And nobody dances quite like you do

Pre-chorus

Hold the candle, make a wish Lift your cup, we're calling this One more year that leads us to

Chorus

Ismail, you're the wisp of trail We follow through, we never fail You light this whole canal tonight Ismail, Ismail, raise the ale

Verse 2

The lock gates creak, the water climbs You've pulled us through some crooked times Every year you find new light And you make this tired old towpath shine

Pre-chorus

Hold the candle, make a wish Lift your cup, we're calling this One more year that leads us to

Chorus

Ismail, you're the wisp of trail We follow through, we never fail You light this whole canal tonight Ismail, Ismail, raise the ale

Bridge

Another year, another tale You steady us, you never fail Sing loud enough to wake the gate We're glad you're here, we're glad you stayed

Chorus

Ismail, you're the wisp of trail We follow through, we never fail You light this whole canal tonight Ismail, Ismail, raise the ale

Outro

Cups crushed down on the wet grass We'll toast you here till this year's past

Verse 1

Streamers caught up in the wires above Tangled bright where the trains all call You walk through like you own the station Steady heart while the whole board falls

Pre-chorus

Every platform hums a little louder now Every clock waits just to see your face Something's building, and it's building towards you

Chorus

Ismail, the whole room's lit for you Come on and kiss the veil tonight We're calling out the name we're tied to Ismail, you make the dark feel bright

Verse 2

Numbers spin but you're the one that's steady Ribbons swaying where the diesel blows Every stranger passing slows to notice Something warmer than the tracks below

Pre-chorus

Every platform hums a little louder now Every clock waits just to see your face Something's building, and it's building towards you

Chorus

Ismail, the whole room's lit for you Come on and kiss the veil tonight We're calling out the name we're tied to Ismail, you make the dark feel bright

Bridge

Let the streamers fall like ticker tape Let the whistle blow us all off track Whatever mile you're bound to travel We'll be here cheering till you're back

Chorus

Ismail, the whole room's lit for you Come on and kiss the veil tonight We're calling out the name we're tied to Ismail, you make the dark feel bright

Outro

Streamers still caught up there in the wires We'll keep singing long after they fall

Verse 1

You kept these boxes half your life stacked up against the mossy wall behind a lock gone rough with rust you saved the best of it for all

Chorus

Ismail, we found the key tonight open the padlock, step into the light we came to sing and raise a cheer Ismail, glad that you are here

Verse 2

You never made a show of it the way you love comes quiet, true the timber leans but still it holds the way that we hold on to you

Pre-chorus

So let the candles catch and blaze let every voice here find its place we are not waiting one more breath

Chorus

Ismail, we found the key tonight open the padlock, step into the light we came to sing and raise a cheer Ismail, glad that you are here

Bridge

Whatever you have carried far however heavy, here you are and every year you stack up high just makes us love you more, not less

Chorus

Ismail, we found the key tonight open the padlock, step into the light we came to sing and raise a cheer Ismail, glad that you are here

Outro

The lock swings loose, the walls stay strong so happy birthday, carry on

Verse 1

Wind comes hard across the track Every yellow bloom bends back Still the colour holds its ground That's the steadiness in you I found

Chorus

Ismail, you hold when the wind is loud Steady heart inside a restless crowd Ismail, you never bend to fear That's why I want you standing near

Verse 2

Steep path, and the going's rough You just say you've had enough Then you take my hand and climb Never once run out of time

Pre-chorus

I've seen you tested, seen you tried Watched you stay when you could've lied Now that hillside's calling out your name

Chorus

Ismail, you hold when the wind is loud Steady heart inside a restless crowd Ismail, you never bend to fear That's why I want you standing near

Bridge

No storm has ever changed your mind You're the calm I always find Gorse can shake but keeps its gold Just like the love you always hold

Chorus

Ismail, you hold when the wind is loud Steady heart inside a restless crowd Ismail, you never bend to fear That's why I want you standing near

Outro

Let the wind blow through the gorse Love like yours will hold its course

Verse 1

Two mugs steam on the side Set down soft, still touching I made yours the way you like Small proof that I've been watching

Pre-chorus

Nothing loud about this kind of love Just kettle hum and morning light It's building toward something I need to say

Chorus

Ismail, you make the quiet warm Two cups steaming, side by side I choose this calm with you Ismail, you're where I decide to stay

Verse 2

You leave your mug there half drunk Rushing off before it's cold I finish it without a thought Some kind of love that needs no words told

Chorus

Ismail, you make the quiet warm Two cups steaming, side by side I choose this calm with you Ismail, you're where I decide to stay

Bridge

Some days it's tea and silence only Some days it's everything at once Either way I'd pour for you again Either way you're who I want

Chorus

Ismail, you make the quiet warm Two cups steaming, side by side I choose this calm with you Ismail, you're where I decide to stay

Outro

Two mugs left on the draining board Still warm from us, still close

Verse 1

Neon blurs behind the glass Curtains catch the falling light Something in the room goes still You're the calm no storm can pass

Chorus

Ismail, you steady every room Every window fogs but you stay clear Nothing loud about the way you love Ismail, you're the reason I stay near

Verse 2

Streets keep talking, signs keep buzzing We just let the noise go by You reach over, pull it shut Quiet always finds your eye

Pre-chorus

I've watched you in low light I've watched you in the grey Still my heart leans your way

Chorus

Ismail, you steady every room Every window fogs but you stay clear Nothing loud about the way you love Ismail, you're the reason I stay near

Bridge

No one else survey all this and stay No one holds it half as gently

Chorus

Ismail, you steady every room Every window fogs but you stay clear Nothing loud about the way you love Ismail, you're the reason I stay near

Outro

Curtains still hang half shut Still I'd choose this glow with you

Verse 1

Dark water laps so softly at the painted oak below you Every gentle wave that passes only wants to know you Nothing in this quiet night was ever built to scare you Close your eyes now, little one, for nothing here will bare you

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the rocking carry all your worry far away Feel the boat beneath you settle, feel the hours softly sway Sleep is coming closer now to hold you till the day

Chorus

Ismail, the water hums a tune that only you can hear Nothing in this whole wide dark will ever bring you fear Rest here, Ismail, safe beneath the sleeping deck above Ismail, you are drifting soft on something close to love

Verse 2

Somewhere far above your head the stars are keeping watch tonight Little waves keep tapping out a rhythm soft and right You were carried here to rest where nothing comes to harm you Sleep will wrap around you now and gently keep you warm too

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the rocking carry all your worry far away Feel the boat beneath you settle, feel the hours softly sway Sleep is coming closer now to hold you till the day

Chorus

Ismail, the water hums a tune that only you can hear Nothing in this whole wide dark will ever bring you fear Rest here, Ismail, safe beneath the sleeping deck above Ismail, you are drifting soft on something close to love

Bridge

Somebody is watching over every breath you take Nobody could love you more than what you make me feel awake

Chorus

Ismail, the water hums a tune that only you can hear Nothing in this whole wide dark will ever bring you fear Rest here, Ismail, safe beneath the sleeping deck above Ismail, you are drifting soft on something close to love

Outro

Sleep now, while the water keeps on lapping at the oak Rest here, little one, held safe by every gentle stroke

Verse 1

Up on the wire the feathers have folded soft and still Something small has found a place to rest against the chill Down below the chimney breathes its low and easy smoke You are held as gently as that quiet windowsill

Pre-chorus

The night pulls its blanket over rooftop and over tree Every small thing settles now, wherever it may be So let your eyes grow heavy, love, and drift where dreams run free

Chorus

Ismail, hush now, the dark is soft as wool Sleep is calling gently, and your eyes are growing full Nothing here can harm you, not even in your sail Rest tonight, Ismail, the whole wide world stands still

Verse 2

Somewhere past the chimney the stars are coming clean and slow Warm inside the bedsheets is the only place to go Hold your breath a moment, feel how safe this quiet is You are why the lamp glows soft and why it burns so low

Bridge

No need to watch the window, no need to count the wire Sleep will come as certain as the hearth beneath the fire Every feather settles, every small wing folds in tight

Chorus

Ismail, hush now, the dark is soft as wool Sleep is calling gently, and your eyes are growing full Nothing here can harm you, not even in your sail Rest tonight, Ismail, the whole wide world stands still

Outro

The wire is quiet now, the feathers finally still Sleep well, little one, safe upon your windowsill

Verse 1

A yellow light slides quiet across the curtain's fold It travels soft and easy, then it's gone before it's told The room breathes low around you, warm and safe to hold Nothing out there in the dark can touch this hush of gold

Chorus

Ismail, Ismail, the night is only kind Every little light outside is combed and left behind Close your eyes, Ismail, let the quiet do its work Nothing in this soft dark room would ever let you hurt

Verse 2

The wall keeps catching gleams that drift and settle out of sight You are wrapped in something steadier than any passing light Breathe now, let your shoulders fall, let go of all the day There is nowhere you need be, only here you get to stay

Pre-chorus

Somewhere past the window the whole wide world rolls on But in here it is only breathing, only you till dawn Let the hush come closer now, let your small hands relax

Chorus

Ismail, Ismail, the night is only kind Every little light outside is combed and left behind Close your eyes, Ismail, let the quiet do its work Nothing in this soft dark room would ever let you hurt

Bridge

Sleep is just a boat that carries you along Drifting slow past morning while the dark hums its low song

Chorus

Ismail, Ismail, the night is only kind Every little light outside is combed and left behind Close your eyes, Ismail, let the quiet do its work Nothing in this soft dark room would ever let you hurt

Outro

The last light slips across the wall and fades to nothing there You are held and you are wanted, safe inside this quiet air