Songs for Rita

Verse 1

Green light on the floor at midnight Vending machine hums its tune You're stood there under exit signs Waiting like you've got till noon

Chorus

Rita, you make the hallway warmer Nothing here was built to be sweeter Some kind of love finds you anywhere Rita, nobody loves like Anita

Verse 2

Linoleum shining under our shoes This is not where I thought I'd stay But you're laughing at something small And I don't want to walk away

Pre-chorus

I've loved you in better rooms I've loved you in far worse too It's never once been about the view

Chorus

Rita, you make the hallway warmer Nothing here was built to be sweeter Some kind of love finds you anywhere Rita, nobody loves like Anita

Bridge

Let the machine keep humming low Let the light stay green and stay I'm not leaving before you go Whatever else moves, we can stay

Chorus

Rita, you make the hallway warmer Nothing here was built to be sweeter Some kind of love finds you anywhere Rita, nobody loves like Anita

Outro

Green light still finds the floor I'd wait right here for you once more

Verse 1

Rain on the door, it slides open wide Silver baskets stacked up near the light You reach for one and stand aside Wet leaves on your coat, and I'm alright

Pre-chorus

No music playing, just the hum of the store I've loved you plainer than this before Something's rising, I can't hold it in no more

Chorus

Rita, you're the reason I came in Anita never crossed my mind again You make the ordinary sweeter than it's been Rita, Rita, hold my hand

Verse 2

You push the basket, I walk behind Nothing here worth talking about at all Except you're laughing, and that's enough for mine Except the way you catch me when I fall

Chorus

Rita, you're the reason I came in Anita never crossed my mind again You make the ordinary sweeter than it's been Rita, Rita, hold my hand

Bridge

No candles lit, no fancy scene Just wheels that squeak and floors gone clean You're steady where the rest has been

Chorus

Rita, you're the reason I came in Anita never crossed my mind again You make the ordinary sweeter than it's been Rita, Rita, hold my hand

Outro

The doors slide shut behind us now Still smelling of rain, and I'm glad somehow

Verse 1

The kettle starts its slow hiss now Dishes sit and wait somehow You're across the room from me I watch you and my chest slows down

Pre-chorus

I don't need the words tonight Just this kitchen, just this light Just you turning, about to see

Chorus

Rita, you're the warm in this small house Nothing loud, no need to shout You could be a hundred miles And still be closer than the rest, no doubt

Verse 2

Steam climbs up and finds the window You laugh at something, quiet, low I forget what I was doing Just to watch your face still glow

Pre-chorus

I don't need the words tonight Just this kitchen, just this light Just you turning, about to see

Chorus

Rita, you're the warm in this small house Nothing loud, no need to shout You could be a hundred miles And still be closer than the rest, no doubt

Bridge

Some loves come in with all their noise Ours just sits here, holds its poise Still the kettle, still your hand near mine Still enough to make me choose you twice

Chorus

Rita, you're the warm in this small house Nothing loud, no need to shout You could be a hundred miles And still be closer than the rest, no doubt

Outro

The kettle's quiet now, gone still You're still the warmest thing I feel

Verse 1

Down the dark hallway a brass pendulum is swinging so slow Behind its glass doors it keeps time just for you Every soft tick tells the whole house you're safe here below Rita, the night knows exactly what to do

Chorus

Rita, Rita, the dark is a friend keeping watch by your bed Sweeter than any old song I could sing You are the calm at the end of the hallway ahead Rita, you're held by the warmth that night brings

Verse 2

The clock behind glass never hurries and never runs late It swings out its rhythm the same as your breath Somewhere a door has been left on the smallest of gates Just so the quiet can carry you gently past rest

Pre-chorus

Listen how slowly the brass and your breathing agree Nothing tonight has to hurry or reach Close your eyes now and float where it's easy to be

Chorus

Rita, Rita, the dark is a friend keeping watch by your bed Sweeter than any old song I could sing You are the calm at the end of the hallway ahead Rita, you're held by the warmth that night brings

Bridge

Somewhere behind glass doors the pendulum swings on and on Marking the hours that carry you home Rest now, my Rita, till most of the darkness is gone

Chorus

Rita, Rita, the dark is a friend keeping watch by your bed Sweeter than any old song I could sing You are the calm at the end of the hallway ahead Rita, you're held by the warmth that night brings

Outro

Somewhere the brass keeps its slow steady beat in the glass And you, little Rita, sleep safe as the hours pass

Verse 1

Moonlight is spilling soft along the wet gravel tonight Every small stone is catching a little silver light Rusted and old, the watering can waits by the wall Nothing out there could ever shine quite so bright as you might

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the hush come creeping in slow Breathe with the dark and let the whole house settle low Sleep is a door and you are drifting to where it leads

Chorus

Rita, Rita, sweeter than any garden in bloom You are the warmth that fills this whole quiet room Nothing could shake the calm that you carry through Sleep now, Anita of my heart, there is no safer you

Verse 2

Somewhere the can still holds a puddle of fallen rain Somewhere the path still gleams though the night hides all its grain You are the reason I linger here watching it glow Feeling how gently your breathing has softened again

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes now, let the hush come creeping in slow Breathe with the dark and let the whole house settle low Sleep is a door and you are drifting to where it leads

Chorus

Rita, Rita, sweeter than any garden in bloom You are the warmth that fills this whole quiet room Nothing could shake the calm that you carry through Sleep now, Anita of my heart, there is no safer you

Bridge

Rest here where nothing can trouble your small and steady heart Let every worry of daylight simply drift apart

Chorus

Rita, Rita, sweeter than any garden in bloom You are the warmth that fills this whole quiet room Nothing could shake the calm that you carry through Sleep now, Anita of my heart, there is no safer you

Outro

Somewhere the gravel still gleams beneath a patient moon You are held safe here, and morning will come soon

Verse 1

Steam is rising soft above the water, curling slow and warm Every worry of the day is melting out into the air You are wrapped inside the quiet like a blanket, safe from harm Nothing in this whole wide night will ever cause you care

Pre-chorus

The water settles, and the room grows still and low Close your eyes and let the warmth sink into you Sleep is waiting just beyond this gentle glow

Chorus

Rita, the night is holding you so gently now Nothing can reach you here, nothing can find you sweeter Rest your small head down and let the hours bow Sleep on, my quiet one, my own Rita

Verse 2

The candle by the basin flickers low and kind and slow Its little light is watching over you until you dream Outside the window, all the stars have gathered in a row Just to see you sleeping calm beside the rising steam

Chorus

Rita, the night is holding you so gently now Nothing can reach you here, nothing can find you sweeter Rest your small head down and let the hours bow Sleep on, my quiet one, my own Rita

Bridge

Hush now, the whole house is breathing slow with you There is nothing you must carry until the morning comes

Chorus

Rita, the night is holding you so gently now Nothing can reach you here, nothing can find you sweeter Rest your small head down and let the hours bow Sleep on, my quiet one, my own Rita

Outro

The steam has settled, and the water has gone still and clear Sleep well, my Rita, you are safe and you are near