Songs for Ronald

Verse 1

Three cups sat out on the bench Party over, string let loose Nobody thought to sweep it clean Because your night was worth the fuss

Pre-chorus

Something in this evening lingers Something we don't want to lose So hold your cup up, let it ring out We're not done singing for you

Chorus

Ronald, the whole yard's shouting your name Balloons gone, but you're still glowing Ronald, nothing about you feels the same We're loud for you and it keeps growing

Verse 2

That string is tangled round the arm rest Nobody came to take it down We left it there to mark the moment When you turned this whole place around

Bridge

Every year adds to the story Every candle makes it clear You are the reason we keep gathering You're the one we're cheering here

Chorus

Ronald, the whole yard's shouting your name Balloons gone, but you're still glowing Ronald, nothing about you feels the same We're loud for you and it keeps growing

Outro

Long after the cups are taken You're the reason this bench got noise

Verse 1

Two cases stood beside the board waiting on a train delayed the whole platform hummed with cold but you made the waiting feel warm

Pre-chorus

Every year the whistle blows another mile of road you've known but tonight we're calling out before you go

Chorus

Ronald, light the whole platform up raise the horns and fill the cup the timetable can wait a while we came to cheer for Ronald

Verse 2

Trains keep leaving, trains come in you're the one who makes it fine other folk just watch the board you turn waiting into a grin

Bridge

However far the tracks may run we'll follow where you've gone the band strikes up, the night's begun hold on to this one, hold on

Chorus

Ronald, light the whole platform up raise the horns and fill the cup the timetable can wait a while we came to cheer for Ronald

Outro

Those two cases can wait for dawn happy birthday, Ronald, carry on

Verse 1

There's a stain beneath the oil drum Been there since before you'd come Nothing moves it, nothing can It just sits there like a plan

Pre-chorus

Some things stay no matter what Some things earn their steady spot And tonight we're lighting one more candle up

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, hear the room shout Nobody's leaving till we wear you out We're stomping and clapping, we're calling your name Ronald, you showed up, and it's never the same

Verse 2

That spot don't shine, it don't dazzle Just holds its ground through every hassle Like the way you show up strong Steady as a favourite song

Bridge

Some folks fade like chalk in rain You're the mark that stays the same We could scrub this whole floor down You'd still be the best thing found around

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, hear the room shout Nobody's leaving till we wear you out We're stomping and clapping, we're calling your name Ronald, you showed up, and it's never the same

Outro

The drum still leaks, the mark still grows Steady as you, and everybody knows

Verse 1

The receiver sits crooked on the counter Under a light that barely glows I could call you now or later Some things a person just knows

Pre-chorus

I keep the line open just in case There's a warmth that won't grow old Waiting for you to fill the space

Chorus

Ronald, you're the calm I lean on Steady as a porch light at dawn old Every quiet hour we've been on Feels like something worth being gone old for

Verse 2

You call me just to hear my voice Nothing much to report or explain Somehow that's always been my choice Hearing you say my name again

Chorus

Ronald, you're the calm I lean on Steady as a porch light at dawn old Every quiet hour we've been on Feels like something worth being gone old for

Bridge

No fireworks, just a steady hum Your voice low, unhurried, sure This is how the real ones come

Chorus

Ronald, you're the calm I lean on Steady as a porch light at dawn old Every quiet hour we've been on Feels like something worth being gone old for

Outro

The receiver still waits on the counter I'll pick it up, I'll call you home

Verse 1

One boot dries beside the stone Half the climb was walked alone But you carried what I dropped Never asked me once to stop

Pre-chorus

I have been to the top of the ridge I have stood on the edge of the bridge And it's you I keep coming home to

Chorus

Ronald, you're the ground under me Steady as a stone could be Ronald, when the fog rolls through I still know the way to you

Verse 2

The stone stays flat when storms roll in You stay close through thick and thin Wet boot drying in the sun You're the rest after I run

Pre-chorus

I have been to the top of the ridge I have stood on the edge of the bridge And it's you I keep coming home to

Chorus

Ronald, you're the ground under me Steady as a stone could be Ronald, when the fog rolls through I still know the way to you

Bridge

Some loves burn and some loves last You're the kind that holds me fast No mountain taller than this feeling No ceiling higher than your name

Chorus

Ronald, you're the ground under me Steady as a stone could be Ronald, when the fog rolls through I still know the way to you

Outro

That boot still dries beside the stone And I am never walking on alone

Verse 1

Left that paperback right where it fell Face down between the shelves so low Meant to pick it up hours ago But your voice called me, and I went slow

Pre-chorus

Nothing in this house gets finished right Not since you started pulling me in Every quiet thing turns into you

Chorus

Ronald, you're the reason I stay slow You're the warmth that fills an empty room Nobody holds me steady like you, Ronald You're the one I keep coming home to

Verse 2

Dust collects on pages I don't read Shelves stand tall but you're what I see Stories wait, they don't mind the wait You're the only plot that matters to me

Pre-chorus

Nothing in this house gets finished right Not since you started pulling me in Every quiet thing turns into you

Chorus

Ronald, you're the reason I stay slow You're the warmth that fills an empty room Nobody holds me steady like you, Ronald You're the one I keep coming home to

Bridge

Let the story sit there, spine cracked wide You're the only page I want tonight Floorboards creak beneath our slow turned dance Nothing reads as true as you beside me

Chorus

Ronald, you're the reason I stay slow You're the warmth that fills an empty room Nobody holds me steady like you, Ronald You're the one I keep coming home to

Outro

Book still open on the wooden floor You're the story I'll return to more

Verse 1

A tall brass lamp leans low and spills its gentle amber light it pools across the rug where all your little dreams will land soft as anything, it never asks a question of the dark and you are safe inside this small and golden band

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, rest your head and let the evening hold you close your eyes, the light will keep on watching while you sleep Ronald, nothing here will hurry you or scold you only warmth, only quiet, only love this deep

Verse 2

The pattern on the rug has faded soft from years of little feet but every worn old thread was walked by someone dearly loved you are woven into all of it, however small you seem tonight held here gently, never pushed, never shoved

Pre-chorus

Hear how quiet settles down around this amber glow feel your breathing slow to match the hush of everything you know and let the last light of the day begin to go

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, rest your head and let the evening hold you close your eyes, the light will keep on watching while you sleep Ronald, nothing here will hurry you or scold you only warmth, only quiet, only love this deep

Bridge

Somewhere past this circle, night goes on for miles and miles but you need only know the small warm shape of where you lie you are the reason this whole room still smiles

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, rest your head and let the evening hold you close your eyes, the light will keep on watching while you sleep Ronald, nothing here will hurry you or scold you only warmth, only quiet, only love this deep

Outro

The brass lamp dims but leaves its warmth still folded in the rug sleep now, Ronald, wrapped in light as soft as any hug

Verse 1

The old clock swings behind its little glass door so slow Its brass heart tells the whole quiet house when to let go Every tick is soft as a hand upon your chest Telling you it's time now, telling you to rest

Pre-chorus

Close your eyes and let the ticking carry you down Down where the dark is warm and never wears a frown The night is only waiting to hold you soft and near

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, the pendulum is swinging slow and low Sleep is coming gentle now, there's nowhere you need go You are held here safer than the moon is held by night Ronald, rest now, let the swinging carry you from sight

Verse 2

Somewhere deep inside the wood the little wheels turn round Keeping every minute safe and folding it in sound Nothing in this house will wake before the morning comes You can drift as slow and steady as the pendulum

Bridge

Nothing here will hurry you, nothing here will call The whole dark room is wrapped around you like a shawl

Chorus

Ronald, Ronald, the pendulum is swinging slow and low Sleep is coming gentle now, there's nowhere you need go You are held here safer than the moon is held by night Ronald, rest now, let the swinging carry you from sight

Outro

Somewhere the old clock still swings soft behind its glass Watching over you, my love, as one more night goes past

Verse 1

The hook by the door holds your coat safe till morning and the pale light beneath it keeps watch while you're yawning nothing in this house needs anything but rest now you are held so gently, little one, without warning

Pre-chorus

Somewhere past the doorframe a small light is staying low it will still be there when the whole house lets go so let your breathing follow it down slow and steady

Chorus

Ronald, the night is only here to hold you kindly hush now, the glow beneath the door won't leave you blindly every shadow in this room has learned to move on quiet Ronald, you are safe as anything has ever been, entirely

Verse 2

Your small shoes are resting by the wall until the morning and the coats above them hang like they were softly yawning nobody needs to watch the dark, it means no harm now sleep can come and find you without any warning

Bridge

Let the blue light do the waiting so you don't have to let the quiet in the hallway carry what is true

Chorus

Ronald, the night is only here to hold you kindly hush now, the glow beneath the door won't leave you blindly every shadow in this room has learned to move on quiet Ronald, you are safe as anything has ever been, entirely

Outro

The brass hook still holds your coat, steady through till morning and you are held the very same way, without warning

Verse 1

Breath fogs the window pane luggage tumbles down the aisle Ronald, we are coming home to you and the frost begins to wane

Pre-chorus

Lights are strung along the street fires glowing gold and bright counting down to when we meet

Chorus

Ronald waits where carols play Ronald holds the year at bay round a table laid so true where the heart comes home to you

Verse 2

Station platform stretches long strangers' shoulders press us on Ronald, every mile feels less and the crowd becomes our song

Bridge

Through December's gentle grey we are rushing home today

Chorus

Ronald waits where carols play Ronald holds the year at bay round a table laid so true where the heart comes home to you

Outro

Breath blooms soft against the glass and we're almost home at last

Verse 1

Ronald, letters scattered on the floor Coins and stamps and memories galore Frost has turned the windowpanes to white And we're all together in the firelight

Chorus

Ronald, you're the warmth we need right here Ronald, every season brighter when you're near We could wish upon the winter stars above But you're already here, and here is love

Verse 2

Table laid and carols in the air All the laughter echoing everywhere Year is turning into something new And we're grateful that we're sharing it with you

Pre-chorus

Lights are strung across the frozen dark You're the beating of our hearts

Chorus

Ronald, you're the warmth we need right here Ronald, every season brighter when you're near We could wish upon the winter stars above But you're already here, and here is love

Bridge

Hold this moment close, the way the snow holds cold Stories that we're making, waiting to be told

Chorus

Ronald, you're the warmth we need right here Ronald, every season brighter when you're near We could wish upon the winter stars above But you're already here, and here is love

Outro

Frost will fade but you remain our light Ronald, merry Christmas through the night

Verse 1

We walk out where winter has come Boots breaking through frozen ground Your laughter carries on and on Warmth following you all around

Pre-chorus

Every step you take stays bright Frost remembers where you've been Christmas waits for you tonight

Chorus

Ronald, come and stay with us here Ronald, hold us close through the cold Lights will shine while you are near This is how we know we're whole

Verse 2

Carols rising from the fire inside Table laid for all of us Walking back means coming home to this Where your coming matters most

Pre-chorus

Every step you take stays bright Frost remembers where you've been Christmas waits for you tonight

Chorus

Ronald, come and stay with us here Ronald, hold us close through the cold Lights will shine while you are near This is how we know we're whole

Bridge

Your prints fade but you remain Deep inside this winter's heart

Chorus

Ronald, come and stay with us here Ronald, hold us close through the cold Lights will shine while you are near This is how we know we're whole

Outro

Footprints disappear from view But you stay warm within our hearts