Songs for Riley

Verse 1

Rain was tapping on the platform Cups were rattling in the trolley One look at you and the grey lifted Nobody else could do that, only you, only Riley

Pre-chorus

Whatever the weather, you bring the noise Every dull morning, you're the poise So let the brass come in and swell

Chorus

Riley, light the whole room highly Every horn is calling your name Cups are clattering, hearts beat wildly Riley, nothing feels the same

Verse 2

You walk in and the chatter rises Steam and laughter climb as one Every candle waits for your breath Every year with you outshines the sun

Bridge

Here's to the noise you make in a room Here's to the warmth you carry through gloom Raise every cup, let the trumpets swing This is the one day we get to sing

Chorus

Riley, light the whole room highly Every horn is calling your name Cups are clattering, hearts beat wildly Riley, nothing feels the same

Outro

Let the rain keep tapping outside You're the warmth no weather can hide

Verse 1

Dawn comes soft through dusty glass Finding you before the rest can pass You lean like flour bags at rest But you're the one we love the best

Chorus

Riley, Riley, light of the room We've been waiting since the morning bloomed Nobody shines like you finally do Happy birthday, Riley, this day's for you

Verse 2

You wake up slow and steady too Carrying warmth in all you do Years stack up like bags by the pane But you still glow through wind and rain

Pre-chorus

So blow out candles, make a wish Let the whole room raise a glass Here's to you before the toast

Chorus

Riley, Riley, light of the room We've been waiting since the morning bloomed Nobody shines like you finally do Happy birthday, Riley, this day's for you

Bridge

Another year of dust and light Another year you're burning bright We see you clearly, we always will

Chorus

Riley, Riley, light of the room We've been waiting since the morning bloomed Nobody shines like you finally do Happy birthday, Riley, this day's for you

Outro

Dawn will find that glass again But nothing shines like you, my friend

Verse 1

Wheels lean against the weeds Spinning slow by the green water Nobody's in a hurry, no Time just holds you, doesn't bother

Pre-chorus

Another year comes rolling round Every candle finds its glow We're all stood here, feet on the ground

Chorus

Riley, light the whole room up Happiest noise that we know Nothing here could be too much Riley, watch you shine and grow

Verse 2

That old bike still leans there dreaming Water holding every hour You make the ordinary gleaming Turn the plainest day to flower

Pre-chorus

Another year comes rolling round Every candle finds its glow We're all stood here, feet on the ground

Chorus

Riley, light the whole room up Happiest noise that we know Nothing here could be too much Riley, watch you shine and grow

Bridge

Here's to the years still coming Here's to the ones behind Every single one is stronger Just for you being kind

Chorus

Riley, light the whole room up Happiest noise that we know Nothing here could be too much Riley, watch you shine and grow

Outro

Let the wheels keep turning slowly Green and bright as you grow older

Verse 1

Somewhere a heavy lens is turning slowly through the dark Sweeping its beam so soft across the salt-stained glass Nothing tonight is asked of you but to rest and hark The quiet turning promise that this feeling comes to pass

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the turning light keep watch for you Every slow revolving beam is only saying one thing true There is nowhere safer than this moment, holding you

Chorus

Riley, Riley, the light turns for you tonight Wrapped in warmth while the whole wide world turns dim Nothing out there needs to trouble your sleep so light Riley, you are held, you are safe, you are him

Verse 2

The glass may catch the salt and blur the edges of the sea But nothing blurs how deeply, dearly, you are loved and known Somewhere behind the fog a lens keeps turning steadily Just like the quiet love that holds you gently as its own

Bridge

Let the slow beam turn and turn until your breathing turns as slow Every circle of that light is one more reason not to fear Sleep now, little one, and let the whole night learn to know That you are watched, you are wanted, you are always here

Chorus

Riley, Riley, the light turns for you tonight Wrapped in warmth while the whole wide world turns dim Nothing out there needs to trouble your sleep so light Riley, you are held, you are safe, you are him

Outro

Somewhere still that heavy lens turns slowly through the dark Sleep now, Riley, safe and warm behind the salt-stained glass

Verse 1

Grey soot slides slowly down the old red bricks tonight Above the hearth where every ember settles low and slow You are wrapped up warm and heavy with the day behind you There is nothing here but quiet, and the fire's gentle glow

Chorus

Riley, Riley, close your eyes and rest a while The dark is soft and kind and holds you gently now Nothing in this house can touch you, Riley Sleep is close and safe and waiting, take a bow

Verse 2

Somewhere past the window frost is drawing quiet patterns And the last small flame is bowing down to sleep as well You are held here, closer than the warmth against the chimney Safer than the softest story anyone could tell

Pre-chorus

Hush now, let the ashes settle where they always do Feel how still the whole wide world has gone for you Let your breathing slow to match the fire's gentle sighing

Chorus

Riley, Riley, close your eyes and rest a while The dark is soft and kind and holds you gently now Nothing in this house can touch you, Riley Sleep is close and safe and waiting, take a bow

Bridge

Every spark that climbed tonight has found its quiet ending And you are loved beyond the reach of anything that burns

Chorus

Riley, Riley, close your eyes and rest a while The dark is soft and kind and holds you gently now Nothing in this house can touch you, Riley Sleep is close and safe and waiting, take a bow

Outro

Grey soot still rests along the bricks above the hearth You are held there too, and warm, and safe, and loved

Verse 1

Steam curls up from the water so slowly and softly tonight Little fingers, so calm now, forgetting to hold on so tightly Warmth is rising like breath from the old porcelain tap You are safe in this quiet, held here in the low golden light

Chorus

Riley, the night is folding down soft all around you Nothing can touch you, nothing will ever surround you Sleep now, my dear one, drifting so deep and so slow Riley, this warmth was always meant to astound you

Verse 2

Watch how the steam goes wandering up toward the ceiling light Everything settles, everything hushes when the water runs warm and bright Rest now those small hands that held on so tightly all day You are the softest thing I have ever known in this life

Pre-chorus

Eyes growing heavy, the whole house breathing low and slow Every small sound outside has gone quiet, has let itself go Come closer now, love, while the water still glows

Chorus

Riley, the night is folding down soft all around you Nothing can touch you, nothing will ever surround you Sleep now, my dear one, drifting so deep and so slow Riley, this warmth was always meant to astound you

Bridge

Let the whole world go quiet and small Nothing but warmth and the dim hallway light You are held, you are certain, you are wanted by all

Chorus

Riley, the night is folding down soft all around you Nothing can touch you, nothing will ever surround you Sleep now, my dear one, drifting so deep and so slow Riley, this warmth was always meant to astound you

Outro

Steam settles soft now, the water gone still and gone grey Sleep well, my Riley, till the morning finds its way

Verse 1

Crowded train platform, parcels tumbled high Riley's at the window peering through the frost Everyone's pushing towards the evening sky We see your face and know we're never lost

Pre-chorus

Rush of cold air, flutter of the heart Boots on the platform, finally you're here Home comes alive when

Chorus

Riley walks through the door tonight Frost still clinging to your coat Riley brings the warmth we need so bright Laughter spreads like embers in our throat

Verse 2

Seat reserved beside the fire, laid with care Stories waiting in the spaces we have grown Lights reflect in eyes that travelled far from here Every year you make December feel like home

Pre-chorus

Bells are ringing somewhere down the street Carols rise up from a crowded room Love returns when

Chorus

Riley walks through the door tonight Frost still clinging to your coat Riley brings the warmth we need so bright Laughter spreads like embers in our throat

Bridge

Steam on the glass and you're finally here Year turns and turns, but you always come

Chorus

Riley walks through the door tonight Frost still clinging to your coat Riley brings the warmth we need so bright Laughter spreads like embers in our throat

Outro

Crowded rooms feel right when you are near Home is Riley, here, and Christmas clear

Verse 1

You're calling through the static and the snow Your voice breaks up but neither of us goes Miles stretch between us on this winter night Yet hearing you makes everything feel right

Pre-chorus

The line stays open, crackling soft and slow Riley, you're the warmth I needed so

Chorus

Riley, Riley, you're the light I'm holding tight Even through the distance you're burning clear and bright You're the voice that finds me on this frosted eve You're the reason that I still believe

Verse 2

You laugh despite the weather pulling through I'm grateful just for hearing all of you The fire's low but doesn't matter now Your name upon my lips feels sacred, how

Pre-chorus

We're scattered but connected by this call Riley, you're the greatest gift of all

Chorus

Riley, Riley, you're the light I'm holding tight Even through the distance you're burning clear and bright You're the voice that finds me on this frosted eve You're the reason that I still believe

Bridge

Stay on just a moment longer here This sound of you banishes the year

Chorus

Riley, Riley, you're the light I'm holding tight Even through the distance you're burning clear and bright You're the voice that finds me on this frosted eve You're the reason that I still believe

Outro

Don't hang up, let's stay here through the snow Riley, that's the only gift I know

Verse 1

Miles stretch out in frost and dark You shift the boxes as we drive Riley, you are the spark That makes this season feel alive

Pre-chorus

Through the turns and winding roads Every gift we carry home Slides a little closer still

Chorus

Riley, Riley, bright as winter flame Every mile means something more You are why we celebrate This is what we're driving for

Verse 2

Snow falls soft on everything Lights are waiting down the lane You are here, and that's the thing That turns the cold into champagne

Bridge

One more corner, one more mile We are almost there with you

Chorus

Riley, Riley, bright as winter flame Every mile means something more You are why we celebrate This is what we're driving for

Outro

Frost and dark and boxes shift You are home, and that's the gift