Songs for Ivy

Verse 1

I hear your key before you're near the porch light flicks on just for you that sound still makes the whole house cheer another year of coming through

Pre-chorus

We've been counting down the hours waiting up to hear you call something's building, something rising

Chorus

Ivy, open up the door we've got candles, we've got noise this house was quiet till you knocked Ivy, you're the year's best noise

Verse 2

The mat says welcome, but we mean it every single time you're near you make the ordinary brilliant you make the doorway feel like cheer

Bridge

Step inside, the room lights up nobody else can do that trick

Chorus

Ivy, open up the door we've got candles, we've got noise this house was quiet till you knocked Ivy, you're the year's best noise

Outro

Leave your shoes right on that step we'll keep the porch light on for you

Verse 1

We packed the car before the sun Nobody knew quite where we'd go You said just drive, let's have some fun Wherever you sit, that's home, I know

Pre-chorus

The engine hums, the road runs on Every mile feels like a song We're nearly there, so hold that thought

Chorus

Ivy, light the candles high Sing it loud, don't act shy be Every year you're worth the try Happy birthday, dear old Ivy

Verse 2

You wind the window down to shout Laughing loud at nothing much We'd drive all night without a doubt Just to keep this kind of touch

Bridge

Wherever this old car might roam You're the reason we call it home No map could ever hold your worth

Chorus

Ivy, light the candles high Sing it loud, don't act shy be Every year you're worth the try Happy birthday, dear old Ivy

Outro

So pack the car, let's ride again Happy birthday, Ivy, my friend

Verse 1

Coins are spinning in the tray Suds are rising, here to stay Somebody hit the lights up bright We came to watch you shine today

Pre-chorus

Every drum is warming up Every glass is raised and full We're counting down to you

Chorus

Ivy, turn the whole room round Nobody moves without a sound We're spinning colours, wild and true Ivy, you're the finest we have found

Verse 2

Washers hum a steady beat Steam is rolling off the heat You strut between the tumbling drums Like you own this whole back street

Pre-chorus

Every drum is warming up Every glass is raised and full We're counting down to you

Chorus

Ivy, turn the whole room round Nobody moves without a sound We're spinning colours, wild and true Ivy, you're the finest we have found

Bridge

Some folk fold their troubles small We just let the whole thing fall Tonight there's nowhere else to be Only you, lighting up us all

Chorus

Ivy, turn the whole room round Nobody moves without a sound We're spinning colours, wild and true Ivy, you're the finest we have found

Outro

The drums slow down, the lights stay warm You're still the brightest thing in the room

Verse 1

Water on the step behind me Cold gone from my hands You pulled the door open wide Before I even had to ask

Chorus

Ivy, you're the light in the hall Warm before I'm even through Every storm I've walked away from Led me somewhere close to you

Verse 2

Other doors stayed shut for good reason Other rooms felt cold and small You never made me knock twice Never made me wait at all

Pre-chorus

Nobody taught me how to trust a room But you made it easy to believe So hold the door, don't let it close

Chorus

Ivy, you're the light in the hall Warm before I'm even through Every storm I've walked away from Led me somewhere close to you

Bridge

I stopped checking the weather The second I found you Rain can keep on falling I've got somewhere to go

Chorus

Ivy, you're the light in the hall Warm before I'm even through Every storm I've walked away from Led me somewhere close to you

Outro

Still hear the rain against the window But I'm already home with you

Verse 1

The kettle clicks off behind us Cold air finds where your coat missed You pass the mug without asking I take it, and that's the whole ask

Pre-chorus

I could sit here till the light goes No need to fill up the quiet This is the part I keep coming back for

Chorus

Ivy, you make the small hours count Nothing fancy, just this amount Ivy, I'd choose this step each time Your name still lands soft as a rhyme

Verse 2

The garden's gone to weeds and shadow You laugh about the state of it I watch you more than what you're pointing at There's nowhere else I'd rather sit

Pre-chorus

I could sit here till the light goes No need to fill up the quiet This is the part I keep coming back for

Chorus

Ivy, you make the small hours count Nothing fancy, just this amount Ivy, I'd choose this step each time Your name still lands soft as a rhyme

Bridge

No grand plans, no big reveal Just you, close enough to feel This is how I know it's true

Chorus

Ivy, you make the small hours count Nothing fancy, just this amount Ivy, I'd choose this step each time Your name still lands soft as a rhyme

Outro

The kettle's long gone cold now Still, I'm glad you're here somehow

Verse 1

Streetlights are closing one by one Footsteps slow down when we're done talking You take the long way round on purpose I never ask why, I just come

Pre-chorus

Cold air, but your hand stays warm Nobody's out but the both of us Say the word and we'll keep walking

Chorus

Ivy, the dark doesn't scare me now Something in the quiet feels like a vow Every street looks softer with you beside me Ivy, I'd walk this way somehow

Verse 2

You hum something I don't know the name of Your coat's too thin but you won't say I count the doors until we're home Slower than I need to, every day

Bridge

Whatever waits behind that door can wait We're not in a hurry, we never were This is the part I don't rush through This is the part I'd choose to repeat

Chorus

Ivy, the dark doesn't scare me now Something in the quiet feels like a vow Every street looks softer with you beside me Ivy, I'd walk this way somehow

Outro

The lights go out behind us one by one Still your hand is the warmest thing I've held

Verse 1

A train is calling softly somewhere far along the line The whole wide world is settling into shadow and to rest You're wrapped up warm and steady in this quiet of mine Nothing out there tonight can touch the one I love best

Chorus

Ivy, Ivy, close your eyes and drift away with me Every little sound out there is turning into rhyme Nothing in this whole night could ever trouble Ivy There's no place I would rather be than here this time

Verse 2

The distant wheels are humming out a slow and steady song They carry all their little lights to somewhere far from here You don't need to follow where the trains have gone along Your only place tonight is warm and safe and near

Pre-chorus

Hear how the whistle fades away to nothing but a hush Feel how your breathing slows to match the turning of the night Sleep is coming gently now, so quiet and unrushed

Chorus

Ivy, Ivy, close your eyes and drift away with me Every little sound out there is turning into rhyme Nothing in this whole night could ever trouble Ivy There's no place I would rather be than here this time

Bridge

Let the far off engine hum you gently out of day You are held here safer than the moon is safe and high

Chorus

Ivy, Ivy, close your eyes and drift away with me Every little sound out there is turning into rhyme Nothing in this whole night could ever trouble Ivy There's no place I would rather be than here this time

Outro

The train has faded off to somewhere soft and far away You are held here warm and quiet till the breaking of the day

Verse 1

Here is a blanket to settle across your small lap softer than moonlight and warm as a nap let every worry unwind and go quiet and still nothing can reach you, and nothing else will

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes slowly, the day has grown kind leave all its noise and its hurry behind sleep is a hand that will carry you far

Chorus

Ivy, my Ivy, the dark is a friend hush now, my Ivy, the day has its end you are the warmth that this whole house holds tight Ivy, sleep easy, I'm here through the night

Verse 2

Tucked in so gently, you're held like a secret small hands, small breaths, and a heart you can keep it folded up softly, the way that love should safe as a promise that's finally understood

Chorus

Ivy, my Ivy, the dark is a friend hush now, my Ivy, the day has its end you are the warmth that this whole house holds tight Ivy, sleep easy, I'm here through the night

Bridge

Nothing can take you from this quiet place only the stars keep watch on your face rest now, you're wanted, however long the night is

Chorus

Ivy, my Ivy, the dark is a friend hush now, my Ivy, the day has its end you are the warmth that this whole house holds tight Ivy, sleep easy, I'm here through the night

Outro

Sleep now, the blanket still rests on my lap holding the warmth of your slow, easy nap

Verse 1

Warm water is cradling every small and sleepy limb tonight You breathe out slow while steam curls up around the light Nothing in this room could ever bring you harm or fright I'm holding you closer than the water holds you tight

Pre-chorus

Your eyes are getting heavy now, they're drifting to a close Let the day dissolve away like bubbles do, I suppose Sleep is coming gently now, the way the whole house knows

Chorus

Ivy, the water's warm and so is my heart for you Nothing tonight could ever touch you, nothing could get through Ivy, you're softer than the towel I'll wrap you into Sleep now, my love, there's nothing left for you to do

Verse 2

Little wet curls are sticking gently to your quiet head Somewhere a clock is ticking softer than the words I've said You reach for me the way you reach out for your bed Wrapped up in cotton, wrapped in all the love I've spread

Pre-chorus

Your eyes are getting heavy now, they're drifting to a close Let the day dissolve away like bubbles do, I suppose Sleep is coming gently now, the way the whole house knows

Chorus

Ivy, the water's warm and so is my heart for you Nothing tonight could ever touch you, nothing could get through Ivy, you're softer than the towel I'll wrap you into Sleep now, my love, there's nothing left for you to do

Bridge

Hush now, the whole wide world can wait outside this door You've nothing left to carry, you can set it on the floor Rest now, I'll keep the warmth here long after you're asleep

Chorus

Ivy, the water's warm and so is my heart for you Nothing tonight could ever touch you, nothing could get through Ivy, you're softer than the towel I'll wrap you into Sleep now, my love, there's nothing left for you to do

Outro

Somewhere the bath still holds the shape of you, warm and small I'll carry that warmth beside you till the morning calls

Verse 1

Dust swirls where we're setting the place Afternoon light falls golden and long We're moving the chairs, preparing the way Because Ivy, you're who we await

Pre-chorus

Winter's turned everything silver and still Frost on the windows, the year closing down But you make it feel like the season begins

Chorus

Ivy, you shine in the gathered-round glow Ivy, you're home, and we needed you so Carols and laughter and light all ring true When you are here, everything feels like it's new

Verse 2

We've laid out the table with care Each candle is waiting to flame The wreath on the door smells of pine and of grace And we're counting the hours till you

Pre-chorus

Winter's turned everything silver and still Frost on the windows, the year closing down But you make it feel like the season begins

Chorus

Ivy, you shine in the gathered-round glow Ivy, you're home, and we needed you so Carols and laughter and light all ring true When you are here, everything feels like it's new

Bridge

Come through the cold to the fire we've made Sit where the light pools, exactly the place

Chorus

Ivy, you shine in the gathered-round glow Ivy, you're home, and we needed you so Carols and laughter and light all ring true When you are here, everything feels like it's new

Outro

Dust falls through gold where we all stand and wait Ivy, you've made us complete once again

Verse 1

Crackling through the static comes a voice That pulls me back to Christmas every year Turning slowly through the frequencies of time And there you are, unmistakably so clear

Pre-chorus

You're the song that keeps returning Like the frost and like the fire Ivy, Ivy, I keep searching

Chorus

Ivy lights the darkest evening up Radio of all my favourite years How you find me when I'm lost again Ivy, you're the warmth I need right here

Verse 2

Voices fade but yours cuts through the noise Like a carol playing in another room Reaching past the distance and the dark Every time I wonder, there's you

Pre-chorus

You're the song that keeps returning Like the frost and like the fire Ivy, Ivy, I keep searching

Chorus

Ivy lights the darkest evening up Radio of all my favourite years How you find me when I'm lost again Ivy, you're the warmth I need right here

Bridge

Turn the dial back to this moment here Let the year turn round to bring you close

Chorus

Ivy lights the darkest evening up Radio of all my favourite years How you find me when I'm lost again Ivy, you're the warmth I need right here

Outro

Crackling through the static comes your voice And I am home, and I am safe, and clear

Verse 1

Tangled up in dust and time Buried in a cardboard box Here you are, a working rhyme Breaking through the winter locks

Chorus

Ivy, you're the one light glowing Shining through the frost and grey Ivy, all the warmth you're showing Turns the longest night to day

Verse 2

Every string we thought had frayed Finds its brightness when you're near All the colours that have strayed Come alive and disappear

Pre-chorus

We were waiting for the spark For a signal in the cold You just walked into the dark

Chorus

Ivy, you're the one light glowing Shining through the frost and grey Ivy, all the warmth you're showing Turns the longest night to day

Bridge

Fire in the hearth is burning Laughter round the table laid Year is turning, we are learning How we needed you to stay

Chorus

Ivy, you're the one light glowing Shining through the frost and grey Ivy, all the warmth you're showing Turns the longest night to day

Outro

One small bulb that still remembers How to glow when all seems lost