Songs for James

Verse 1

Steam on the window, warm from the crowd you draw a heart there, laughing out loud the whole bus is tired but you're never dimmed or bowed

Pre-chorus

Everybody shifts to sit near you something in the air, it's true tonight it's finally landing

Chorus

James, you light this whole back seat every year we're glad we found you, James nobody else could ever swap you you're the warmest one we've met

Verse 2

Rain outside and noise and light you make the dullest ride feel bright the driver knows your stop but nobody wants tonight to end in flight

Bridge

Here's to another loop around the sun here's to the games we've barely begun however far this old bus runs you're still the one that we're chasing

Chorus

James, you light this whole back seat every year we're glad we found you, James nobody else could ever swap you you're the warmest one we've met

Outro

Wipe the glass, watch the streets unfold happy birthday, James, our steady gold

Verse 1

Sunlight cuts through an open door dust goes dancing on the floor you walk in and stop the show something in you starts to glow

Pre-chorus

Every year you get here late but you're worth the wait so light the room, don't hesitate

Chorus

James, you light up all the frames every picture wears your name born for cake and candle flames nobody plays your kind of games

Verse 2

Engine oil and cut fresh grass this old garage lets you pass find the corner where you stand turning grey into gold sand

Pre-chorus

Every year you get here late but you're worth the wait so light the room, don't hesitate

Chorus

James, you light up all the frames every picture wears your name born for cake and candle flames nobody plays your kind of games

Bridge

Whatever year it's been for you we're glad you made it through raise a glass and stake your claims this whole day carries your name

Chorus

James, you light up all the frames every picture wears your name born for cake and candle flames nobody plays your kind of games

Outro

Dust still spins where sunlight streams James, you're brighter than it seems

Verse 1

Foil on the bench, crumbs and all Somebody's picnic, half undone We stayed till the light began to fall Because with you the day felt won

Pre-chorus

Every year gets folded in Every plain old day reframed Something in you lights it again

Chorus

James, the room lifts when you're near Nobody sings quite like these names We raise a cheer, we raise a beer Happy birthday, James, James

Verse 2

Wind took the wrapper off the seat We laughed and chased it down the grass Ordinary turned into a treat The second that you walked past

Bridge

No candles needed, no big claims Just you, still here, still worth the fuss Some folks just carry warmth like flames And somehow that warmth lands on us

Chorus

James, the room lifts when you're near Nobody sings quite like these names We raise a cheer, we raise a beer Happy birthday, James, James

Outro

Long after the bench is bare We'll still be glad that you were there

Verse 1

Two mugs and one coaster to share There's barely room for either there But you always make it fit You'd rather crowd than lose a bit

Pre-chorus

I don't need the whole wide desk Just this corner, close and small If you're near, that's not small at all

Chorus

James, you're steady through the flames Nothing shaken, nothing tames What I feel when you're this near You're the calm inside the year

Verse 2

The wood is scratched from years of use One ring for tea, one ring for juice You laugh and say we should get more I say I like the way things wore

Bridge

Some loves need a bigger stage We just need this one small space No grand design, no great parade Just you, still here, still unafraid

Chorus

James, you're steady through the flames Nothing shaken, nothing tames What I feel when you're this near You're the calm inside the year

Outro

Two mugs still share their one small coaster Still no room, and none needed for us

Verse 1

I pin the blue shirt to the line I still stop and think it's mine The pegs bite down and hold on tight I feel you in the smallest sign

Pre-chorus

Nothing here is grand or new Just wind and thread and you But something in me lifts and climbs

Chorus

James, you steady every hour Not a spark, but something slower You're the calm I keep coming home to James, you're stitched into my frames

Verse 2

The fabric snaps and settles down Damp cotton, heavy, faintly brown You'd laugh to see me watching cloth Like it might tell me what I've found

Bridge

No one claps for days like these No one writes them into songs But you make the ordinary keep And that's where all my loving belongs

Chorus

James, you steady every hour Not a spark, but something slower You're the calm I keep coming home to James, you're stitched into my frames

Outro

The line goes slack, the shirt comes free James, you still hang close to me

Verse 1

A glass of water on the counter beads of it sliding slow I watch the light just catch it and think of you, you know

Chorus

James, you settle every room you're in calm comes easy with your name quiet as that glass of water you put out all my flames

Verse 2

Some mornings nothing much is moving just the kettle and the sun but you make the stillness kinder you make the slowness fun

Pre-chorus

I never needed noise or promises just this, just steady ground something true I can hold onto

Chorus

James, you settle every room you're in calm comes easy with your name quiet as that glass of water you put out all my flames

Bridge

No performance, no big speeches just the way you stay ordinary, close and certain that's the love I'd choose each day

Chorus

James, you settle every room you're in calm comes easy with your name quiet as that glass of water you put out all my flames

Outro

The glass sits empty on the counter but you're still here, still the same