Songs for Paula

Verse 1

Rain came down and caught us both Under one canvas, close and slow Nobody had to say a word Your sleeve found mine like it knew the truth

Pre-chorus

Yellow lights broke up in the puddles We just stood there, watching them shake Something in me started to reach

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm inside the noise Every little thing feels sure with you near Not asking you to stay forever Paula, just don't let go right now

Verse 2

Streets were empty, ours to keep Water climbed up over our shoes You laughed at nothing, softly, twice And I forgot what I was afraid of

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm inside the noise Every little thing feels sure with you near Not asking you to stay forever Paula, just don't let go right now

Bridge

Maybe this is small to some A sleeve, a light, a bit of rain But nothing's ever felt so certain As standing here with you again

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm inside the noise Every little thing feels sure with you near Not asking you to stay forever Paula, just don't let go right now

Outro

Somewhere the rain is still falling Your sleeve is still warm against mine

Verse 1

Salt is drying on my collar Iron hums beneath the water Long roads taught me how to wait You were always worth the weight

Pre-chorus

I've been quiet, I've been far But you're the compass, you're the star So hold this feeling, let it grow

Chorus

Paula, you're the steady ground Paula, you're the surest sound Through the salt and through the strain You're the harbour, you're my aim

Verse 2

Engines thrum through iron floors Wool grows heavy, still it's yours Every mile I keep for you Nothing else feels half as true

Bridge

I don't need the poem or the pier Just your voice to bring me clear Plain as bread, steady as stone This is how I've always known

Chorus

Paula, you're the steady ground Paula, you're the surest sound Through the salt and through the strain You're the harbour, you're my aim

Outro

The wool dries soft, the engine stills You're the calm past all the hills

Verse 1

The walk home takes us longer now Boots scraping slow across the stones Brick walls giving up their warmth You laugh and it settles in my bones

Pre-chorus

Streetlights catching on your sleeve Nothing here we need to chase This is the hour I believe

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm I chose Every quiet street knows your name Paula, walking slow beside me You make the dark feel tame

Verse 2

Cold brick giving back the day You kick a stone across the lane Your shoulder bumping into mine Simple as the falling rain

Pre-chorus

Streetlights catching on your sleeve Nothing here we need to chase This is the hour I believe

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm I chose Every quiet street knows your name Paula, walking slow beside me You make the dark feel tame

Bridge

No grand words, just this instead Your hand finding mine again Every wall we pass has heard How steady this has always been

Chorus

Paula, you're the calm I chose Every quiet street knows your name Paula, walking slow beside me You make the dark feel tame

Outro

Brick walls cooling, boots gone still You're the warmth that stays behind

Verse 1

Softly the water is folding its white foam over stone Calling you gently to rest as the daylight fades away You are the reason this quiet old harbour feels like home Nothing can trouble you now as the evening turns to grey

Pre-chorus

Far off a foghorn is humming its slow and steady song Wrapping the dark like a blanket to carry you along Close up your eyes now, my love, and let the tide grow strong

Chorus

Paula, the night is holding you soft and holding you near Sleep finds you easy tonight with nothing at all to fear Rest now, sweet Paula, the water is calling you clear Everyone loves you, my darling, and always will, my dear

Verse 2

Down where the pebbles are smoothed by years and years of the sea You are the warmth that outshines every star in the sky Hushed are the waves as they murmur so quietly Close is the harbour that keeps you, and close am I

Chorus

Paula, the night is holding you soft and holding you near Sleep finds you easy tonight with nothing at all to fear Rest now, sweet Paula, the water is calling you clear Everyone loves you, my darling, and always will, my dear

Bridge

Even the boats have come in now to rest where it's still You are the light that no darkness could ever quite fill

Chorus

Paula, the night is holding you soft and holding you near Sleep finds you easy tonight with nothing at all to fear Rest now, sweet Paula, the water is calling you clear Everyone loves you, my darling, and always will, my dear

Outro

Let the last of the foam settle soft on the shore You are held here forever, and loved evermore

Verse 1

Rain runs slow along the window while the room stays warm and still Somewhere near a glass is cooling, but you're wrapped from any chill Nothing out there needs an answer, nothing tonight will test your will Close your eyes now, little Paula, let the dark be soft, not shrill

Chorus

Paula, Paula, hush now, settle deep There is nowhere safer for you than this quiet, gentle sleep Every worry of the daylight has already gone to keep Paula, Paula, drift now, sleep so sweet

Verse 2

Somewhere a radiator hums low beneath the falling grey outside You don't need to know the weather, you have someone by your side Wood and glass and rain together make a hush that cannot hide All the love that's here around you, steady as the turning tide

Pre-chorus

Listen how the whole house softens, listen how it dims its light Even shadows lean in closer, gentle now and losing height Nothing left to do but hold you closer as we say goodnight

Chorus

Paula, Paula, hush now, settle deep There is nowhere safer for you than this quiet, gentle sleep Every worry of the daylight has already gone to keep Paula, Paula, drift now, sleep so sweet

Bridge

Let the glass stay cooling quietly, let the water find its way You are held through every darkness till the coming of the day

Chorus

Paula, Paula, hush now, settle deep There is nowhere safer for you than this quiet, gentle sleep Every worry of the daylight has already gone to keep Paula, Paula, drift now, sleep so sweet

Outro

Rain still runs along the window, softer now than when it came Sleep, my Paula, sleep so gently, safe and warm and known by name

Verse 1

Softly the small speaker hums its low and steady tune Warming the wallpaper gold beneath the rising moon You are the reason this whole room learned to glow Curled up so small where the quiet voices flow

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the humming will carry you far Nothing tonight can follow where you are Sleep is a boat and you're drifting to the stars

Chorus

Paula, the light is only for you tonight Nothing can reach you, you're held so tight Close your eyes, Paula, let the hum stay low You are the warmest thing this house will ever know

Verse 2

Down the hall a quiet gold keeps spilling on the wall Wrapping your small breathing in its gentle shawl You are so loved that even shadows soften here Nothing in this room was ever built for fear

Bridge

Rock slow, rock easy, the night has grown so kind Let every worry drift and stay behind

Chorus

Paula, the light is only for you tonight Nothing can reach you, you're held so tight Close your eyes, Paula, let the hum stay low You are the warmest thing this house will ever know

Outro

The speaker hums on soft as amber turns to grey You are so loved, and loved, and safe, and stay