Songs for Leslie

Verse 1

Three chairs out among the vines Nobody planned it, it just aligns Somebody grabbed them, set them straight Because we knew that you'd be great

Pre-chorus

Look how the whole room found a seat Look how the candles catch the heat Something is building, can you feel it

Chorus

Leslie, light the candles now We're raising every voice somehow Leslie, this whole greenhouse rings We came for you and everything you bring

Verse 2

The tomatoes lean in close to hear We're toasting you with lemonade and beer Every folding chair is filled tonight Because you make the ordinary bright

Bridge

Doesn't matter how the years stack up You still fill the room, you fill the cup One more year of you is one more reason

Chorus

Leslie, light the candles now We're raising every voice somehow Leslie, this whole greenhouse rings We came for you and everything you bring

Outro

The chairs will fold, the plants will grow We'll still remember tonight's glow

Verse 1

Little lantern swinging slow Paper light against the dark Every soul here wants to know You're the reason for the spark

Pre-chorus

Grab a hand and stomp the floor Pull the door wide, let more in Cause we came here for one more

Chorus

Leslie, light the whole room up Swing that lantern, spin it round Nobody pours a birthday cup Till Leslie's cheer comes crashing down

Verse 2

Caravan is rocking hard Boots are thumping on the pine Every candle's not too far From the shine that you call mine

Chorus

Leslie, light the whole room up Swing that lantern, spin it round Nobody pours a birthday cup Till Leslie's cheer comes crashing down

Bridge

Here's to you and every year Here's the toast we're shouting loud We came close just to be near Someone worth this whole crowd

Chorus

Leslie, light the whole room up Swing that lantern, spin it round Nobody pours a birthday cup Till Leslie's cheer comes crashing down

Outro

Lantern's swinging, soft and low We're glad we came for you

Verse 1

Muddy shoes piled by the door proof that you came home once more every step you left behind we been waiting for you, sure

Pre-chorus

Light the candles, turn the sound up pour the cups and fill them up tonight we're building to the shout

Chorus

Leslie, Leslie, born today dance a little, come and play you're the reason we all stay happy birthday, come this way

Verse 2

Trail of footprints on the floor tells us who we're living for every mess you make round here just means you're home a little more

Bridge

No matter where those shoes have been muddy, tired, worn out and thin you walk in and light the room that's a thing we won't unlearn

Chorus

Leslie, Leslie, born today dance a little, come and play you're the reason we all stay happy birthday, come this way

Outro

Leave your shoes there on the step we'll clean up after, don't you fret

Verse 1

I found an old jazz record today Fingers tracing the cardboard spine, worn away Something about it made me think of you Quiet and true, the way you always do

Pre-chorus

I don't need the whole world's noise I just need your steady voice Pulling me in closer still

Chorus

Leslie, you're the calm I choose Nothing about you feels like I'll lose Leslie, you hold me like a song You make the quiet feel like home

Verse 2

Some things get left in the bin Passed over, but I dug back in You're the kind of find nobody sees The rarest thing, and you're mine to keep

Bridge

I've searched through crowded rooms and years Through all my doubts and all my fears You were there the whole time, close The one I never had to lose

Chorus

Leslie, you're the calm I choose Nothing about you feels like I'll lose Leslie, you hold me like a song You make the quiet feel like home

Outro

I'll keep you like that record's spine Held with care, and always mine

Verse 1

You pull the knife out of your pocket Cut the orange into six Hand me the biggest piece without looking That's just how you always give

Chorus

Leslie, I could sit here for hours No clock, no plan, no rush Just the wool beneath us and the sun Leslie, this is enough

Verse 2

Juice runs down onto the checkered wool You laugh like it doesn't matter Nothing about you needs fixing Nothing about today feels scattered

Pre-chorus

Some people love you loudly You love me in small careful ways Small enough to build a whole life on

Chorus

Leslie, I could sit here for hours No clock, no plan, no rush Just the wool beneath us and the sun Leslie, this is enough

Bridge

I've had louder afternoons than this one Never one that felt this true Whatever else the years take from me I want to keep the sight of you

Chorus

Leslie, I could sit here for hours No clock, no plan, no rush Just the wool beneath us and the sun Leslie, this is enough

Outro

Fold the knife, leave the peel in the grass I'll remember this long after we pass

Verse 1

I set the receiver down today let the tea go cold in the cup no voice on the line could keep me when you were the one I looked up

Pre-chorus

Nobody rings me the way you do without saying a single word so I let the silence settle and I lean toward what I heard

Chorus

Leslie, you're the reason I stay near closer than the tea I never drink Leslie, whatever I was chasing you're worth more than I could think

Verse 2

You caught me watching you too long across a table gone half bare I didn't mind that you noticed I wanted you to know I was there

Bridge

Let the phone lie face down still let the steam rise up and fade nothing said by wire or signal means as much as what you've made

Chorus

Leslie, you're the reason I stay near closer than the tea I never drink Leslie, whatever I was chasing you're worth more than I could think

Outro

The mug's gone cold beside the phone but you're the warm I still hold on