Songs for John

Verse 1

Tins stacked up on metal shelves Cold glass doors and no one else You reach in past the frosted air And hand me one, I don't know where

Pre-chorus

The cold comes off the glass in waves My hand finds yours between the aisles And something steady starts to pull

Chorus

John, you make the small things hold Something warm inside the cold Every quiet aisle we've known John, I'd walk it all with John

Verse 2

Peaches syrup thick and gold Nothing here that needs be told You set the basket down and grin I forget what we came in for again

Bridge

No grand light, no perfect scene Just a trolley wheel that squeaks between You laughing low at nothing much That's the whole of it, your hand, your touch

Chorus

John, you make the small things hold Something warm inside the cold Every quiet aisle we've known John, I'd walk it all with John

Outro

The glass still fogs, the tins still wait I'd choose this aisle, this hand, this weight

Verse 1

Water drying on the rim I notice things I didn't used to You left the light on for me again And it means more than any hymn

Pre-chorus

Small things pile up into a life Nothing about this needs to be loud I'm leaning in to say

Chorus

John, you're the calm I didn't plan on Steady as a porch light left on Two brushes standing in a blue mug John, you're the one I keep coming back upon

Verse 2

You hum a little washing your hands I know that sound better than my own Some folks need fireworks to feel it I just need you and this worn stone

Pre-chorus

Small things pile up into a life Nothing about this needs to be loud I'm leaning in to say

Chorus

John, you're the calm I didn't plan on Steady as a porch light left on Two brushes standing in a blue mug John, you're the one I keep coming back upon

Bridge

Let the years be quiet if they want I'll take quiet if it's you No con, no chase, no grand withdrawn Just this, and it's enough all through

Chorus

John, you're the calm I didn't plan on Steady as a porch light left on Two brushes standing in a blue mug John, you're the one I keep coming back upon

Outro

The water dries but we stay John, I'm glad you're mine to hold onto

Verse 1

The engine hums beneath our feet Salt spray frosts the thick glass pane Railings shake to a green blown beat You reach for my hand again

Pre-chorus

I don't need the coast to hold still I don't need the fog to lift I just need you here until

Chorus

John, you're steadier than the sea Nothing shifting pulls you gone Whatever tide comes for me I'll find you standing calm, John

Verse 2

We lean on the rail and watch the wake Cold air catching at your sleeve You laugh at how the deck can shake And that's the sound I'd choose to keep

Chorus

John, you're steadier than the sea Nothing shifting pulls you gone Whatever tide comes for me I'll find you standing calm, John

Bridge

Some loves need the weather kind Ours just needs the crossing on I'm not lost when you're beside me Every harbour feels like home

Chorus

John, you're steadier than the sea Nothing shifting pulls you gone Whatever tide comes for me I'll find you standing calm, John

Outro

The railings still hum soft and low Wherever we go, I'll go

Verse 1

Yellow light is pooling where the corner meets the floor Little bits of dust go drifting through the glow so slow You are watching quiet, heavy eyes about to close Rest is coming nearer than it ever came before

Pre-chorus

Everything is softer now the evening's turned it down Nothing in the whole wide house is making any sound Just the hush that's waiting for you, gentle as a yawn

Chorus

John, the light is holding you the way it always does Nobody could love you more than this whole room does Sleep is only softness wrapping round you like a shawl John, there's nowhere safer than exactly where you are

Verse 2

Warmth is pooling slower now, it barely wants to move Shadows in the corner start to soften and to smooth Close your eyes and drift along, there's nothing you must do You have every reason in the world to feel so soothed

Pre-chorus

Everything is softer now the evening's turned it down Nothing in the whole wide house is making any sound Just the hush that's waiting for you, gentle as a yawn

Chorus

John, the light is holding you the way it always does Nobody could love you more than this whole room does Sleep is only softness wrapping round you like a shawl John, there's nowhere safer than exactly where you are

Bridge

Let the dust keep drifting slow across the fading gold Every little breath of yours is warm against the cold

Chorus

John, the light is holding you the way it always does Nobody could love you more than this whole room does Sleep is only softness wrapping round you like a shawl John, there's nowhere safer than exactly where you are

Outro

Somewhere in the corner still the small light lingers on Sleep now, you are held here safely, sleep now, John

Verse 1

The little lamp is glowing soft behind its amber shade Watching shadows climbing gently up the flowered wall You are curled up warm and heavy where the light has laid Safe inside this quiet room where nothing else can fall

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the glow hold steady through the dark Every breath you take is counted, every one is heard Rest a while and let the night wrap round you like a spark

Chorus

John, the lamp will burn till morning comes along You are held here in the amber, safe and warm There is nowhere in this wide world you belong Except right here, John, wrapped inside this quiet storm

Verse 2

The shadows on the wallpaper are dancing soft and slow Tracing shapes that only sleepy eyes can somehow see You are sinking deeper down to where the dreams will grow Nothing in this whole night wants to trouble you but me

Chorus

John, the lamp will burn till morning comes along You are held here in the amber, safe and warm There is nowhere in this wide world you belong Except right here, John, wrapped inside this quiet storm

Bridge

Even when the little bulb has finally burned down low Someone will be near to watch the amber embers glow

Chorus

John, the lamp will burn till morning comes along You are held here in the amber, safe and warm There is nowhere in this wide world you belong Except right here, John, wrapped inside this quiet storm

Outro

The wall will keep its shadows till the morning finds the door And you will still be loved then, just as you were loved before

Verse 1

The red little clock glows soft in the dark beside you Raindrops slide slow down the window, tracing their gentle line Nothing tonight has to hurry or find its way to you Sleep is already close, John, and it is only yours to find

Chorus

John, the night has folded softly all around your bed Every small light in this room is watching over you John, there is nowhere safer than the place you rest your head Sleep can come as slow as raindrops, taking its sweet time too

Verse 2

The glass is cool and quiet where the raindrops softly land Somewhere past the window, the whole world has gone still You are warmer than the weather, safer than you understand Let the hush come find you gently, let it have its will

Pre-chorus

Hear how quiet the whole wide night has grown around your bed Feel how warm this small room holds you, closer than the cold Nothing out there matters more than the dream that's just ahead

Chorus

John, the night has folded softly all around your bed Every small light in this room is watching over you John, there is nowhere safer than the place you rest your head Sleep can come as slow as raindrops, taking its sweet time too

Bridge

Somebody's here while the clock keeps its soft red time Somebody's watching the raindrops slide, so you don't have to

Chorus

John, the night has folded softly all around your bed Every small light in this room is watching over you John, there is nowhere safer than the place you rest your head Sleep can come as slow as raindrops, taking its sweet time too

Outro

The little clock still glows red, quiet and slow, above you Sleep now, John, the rain will keep on falling soft and true