Songs for Mali

Verse 1

Something pale was left on the sand Bright against the dark and the wet I almost walked on past where it lay But I think of you and I can't forget

Pre-chorus

You could be so easy to miss Small and quiet against the tide But once I see you, I always see you

Chorus

Mali, you shine when the light is low Soft in a world that forgets to look You're the one thing I always know Steady as the tide, plain as a book

Verse 2

Driftwood scattered, grey and bare Half sunk down in the dark wet ground But you're the thing that still catches me there The one clear note in all that sound

Bridge

I don't need the sand to explain it I don't need the tide to agree You're the calm I return to at evening The only home that follows me

Chorus

Mali, you shine when the light is low Soft in a world that forgets to look You're the one thing I always know Steady as the tide, plain as a book

Outro

Something pale still rests on the shore And I love you the same as before

Verse 1

The leaves came down and covered the seat We sat there once, out of the sleet Grey fence behind us, worn thin and bare You made that cold bench feel like somewhere

Pre-chorus

I think of you in colours fading Still you're the warmth that isn't waiting You're the reason I keep staying

Chorus

Mali, you steady me like nothing can Through every season, every plan No rally, no valley, no mile too far I'd know you anywhere you are

Verse 2

Brown leaves pile where we used to talk You never rushed me, never balked That fence has rusted, greyer now But you're the same, and I don't know how

Pre-chorus

I think of you in colours fading Still you're the warmth that isn't waiting You're the reason I keep staying

Chorus

Mali, you steady me like nothing can Through every season, every plan No rally, no valley, no mile too far I'd know you anywhere you are

Bridge

Let the wind take the leaves it wants You're the one thing that still haunts Every quiet, ordinary place I'd sit through winter for your face

Chorus

Mali, you steady me like nothing can Through every season, every plan No rally, no valley, no mile too far I'd know you anywhere you are

Outro

The bench still waits beneath the grey You're the warmth that never went away

Verse 1

Rain found the handle by the wall Cold metal dripping down the alley You laughed and pulled me in the arch I wasn't going anywhere at all

Pre-chorus

The water kept on falling slow You looked at me like I should know So I'll say it now before it goes

Chorus

Mali, you're the one I choose There's no version where I lose Steady as a low green valley Mali, this was never news

Verse 2

We waited out the whole grey sky You traced the drips along my sleeve Nobody else was on that street Just us two with nowhere else to be

Chorus

Mali, you're the one I choose There's no version where I lose Steady as a low green valley Mali, this was never news

Bridge

I don't need thunder, don't need noise Just you close and the quiet poise Some loves rally loud and fast Ours just settles in and stays

Chorus

Mali, you're the one I choose There's no version where I lose Steady as a low green valley Mali, this was never news

Outro

Long after that rain has dried You're still the one stood by my side

Verse 1

Somewhere a copper wire hums soft above the floor Catching a little dust while you drift near the door Small dials glowing low like a sleepy amber star Nothing tonight can reach you, not one thing so far

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the house breathes slow around your little bed Every quiet corner is watching over your head Close your eyes gently, let the soft dark carry you in

Chorus

Mali, the night is warm and it wants you to rest Sleep finds you softest when you're held against a chest Mali, the whole wide dark is gentle now for you There's nothing in this room that isn't tender through and through

Verse 2

Under the window the wire keeps its patient hum Waiting so quiet for the morning light to come You are the warmest thing this whole small house can hold Wrapped up in blankets softer than the coldest cold

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the house breathes slow around your little bed Every quiet corner is watching over your head Close your eyes gently, let the soft dark carry you in

Chorus

Mali, the night is warm and it wants you to rest Sleep finds you softest when you're held against a chest Mali, the whole wide dark is gentle now for you There's nothing in this room that isn't tender through and through

Bridge

Let every small sound settle like dust upon a shelf You never have to carry this quiet by yourself Rest now, you are cradled, you are counted, you are known

Chorus

Mali, the night is warm and it wants you to rest Sleep finds you softest when you're held against a chest Mali, the whole wide dark is gentle now for you There's nothing in this room that isn't tender through and through

Outro

Somewhere that copper wire is humming soft and low Sleep now, my Mali, safe in the gentle glow

Verse 1

Grey ash slides soft down the charred old log tonight Curling like smoke that has nowhere left to go You watch it fall with your eyes so heavy and bright Sleep is coming slow, sleep is coming slow

Pre-chorus

Nothing out there can reach you here by the fire's glow Every small sound is fading into the warm and low So let your breathing settle soft, and let it grow

Chorus

Mali, Mali, the embers bank down low Hush now in the amber light, let the whole world go Close your eyes where the last logs softly glow Mali, you're the warmest thing this house will ever know

Verse 2

A little heat still hums beneath the ashy grey Quiet as a heartbeat keeping time till day You curl in close, you tuck the night away Sleep is coming, sleep is coming, stay

Pre-chorus

Nothing out there can reach you here by the fire's glow Every small sound is fading into the warm and low So let your breathing settle soft, and let it grow

Chorus

Mali, Mali, the embers bank down low Hush now in the amber light, let the whole world go Close your eyes where the last logs softly glow Mali, you're the warmest thing this house will ever know

Bridge

Wherever this small flame of you may drift and roam You carry all this quiet, you carry all this home

Chorus

Mali, Mali, the embers bank down low Hush now in the amber light, let the whole world go Close your eyes where the last logs softly glow Mali, you're the warmest thing this house will ever know

Outro

Grey ash settles gently, the grate breathes soft and slow Sleep now, Mali, carried in that warm and steady glow

Verse 1

A jar of blue glass holds a warm and steady light beside you softly glowing so the dark can never quite surprise you one small flame breathing slow above a thread of black and I am watching over you, however night may hide you

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the glow become a gentle friend feel the hush of evening folding round you without end hold on to nothing, only drift where soft dreams bend

Chorus

Mali, sleep is calling soft and low tonight hush now, let the小 flicker be your guide through fading light valley shadows settle, nothing here will do you harm Mali, you are held here, safe and warm and right

Verse 2

Somewhere past the window rain is tapping out a lullaby a quiet kind of music only sleepy hearts can spy you are wrapped in nothing louder than a heartbeat and a sigh and every hush that passes over you is love in disguise

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the glow become a gentle friend feel the hush of evening folding round you without end hold on to nothing, only drift where soft dreams bend

Chorus

Mali, sleep is calling soft and low tonight hush now, let the flicker be your guide through fading light valley shadows settle, nothing here will do you harm Mali, you are held here, safe and warm and right

Bridge

Even when the little flame has finally burned down low you will carry all its warmth wherever you may go

Chorus

Mali, sleep is calling soft and low tonight hush now, let the flicker be your guide through fading light valley shadows settle, nothing here will do you harm Mali, you are held here, safe and warm and right

Outro

Rest now, the blue glass jar will keep its quiet ember burning and love will still be waiting soft for you at morning