Lullabies for Samuel

Verse 1

The oar lies still across the wooden slats tonight and nothing on the water asks for any more of you black water laps the hull so soft and low you drift the way that boats drift, safe and slight

Pre-chorus

Hush now, the current has no hurry in it every ripple only rocks you deeper into rest so let your small held breath go, gentle and slow

Chorus

Samuel, the water knows the shape of you by heart Samuel, it holds you closer than the dark you are the reason this whole night keeps quiet watch sleep now, Samuel, safe and calm and set apart

Verse 2

Somewhere a rope goes slack and settles round its post you loosen too, your fingers soft against the warm no wind tonight to trouble what is tied down tight you are the cargo that this whole boat treasures most

Bridge

Let every worry sink below the black and quiet water you were never meant to carry it, only to be carried

Chorus

Samuel, the water knows the shape of you by heart Samuel, it holds you closer than the dark you are the reason this whole night keeps quiet watch sleep now, Samuel, safe and calm and set apart

Outro

The oar rests easy now, its work already done you rest the same way, held, and wanted, and warm

Verse 1

The foam slides over pebbles where no moonlight ever falls and something in that darkness still remembers how to call it calls the tide in gently, it never has to shout so let the hush around you slowly smooth your worry out

Pre-chorus

Somewhere past the water the whole sky's holding still and every wave that reaches you is climbing up the hill just to bring you something soft before it has to go

Chorus

Samuel, the night has wrapped you gently like a flannel close and warm around you like the fur upon a camel Samuel, you're carried safe on water dark as coal every little wave tonight is rocking you to whole

Verse 2

No moon is needed here to show you that you're loved the stones don't need the starlight to feel the tide above and you don't need a single light to know you're safe and held the dark can hold a treasure just as softly as it's felt

Pre-chorus

Somewhere past the water the whole sky's holding still and every wave that reaches you is climbing up the hill just to bring you something soft before it has to go

Chorus

Samuel, the night has wrapped you gently like a flannel close and warm around you like the fur upon a camel Samuel, you're carried safe on water dark as coal every little wave tonight is rocking you to whole

Bridge

Rest now, let the far horizon keep its quiet line you were never meant to watch it, only close your eyes and shine nothing in the dark can touch the warmth you carry through

Chorus

Samuel, the night has wrapped you gently like a flannel close and warm around you like the fur upon a camel Samuel, you're carried safe on water dark as coal every little wave tonight is rocking you to whole

Outro

The foam will keep on turning over pebbles through the dark and you'll stay warm and wanted long after it departs

Verse 1

A small yellow bulb keeps its watch on the landing tonight catching the dust as it drifts soft and slow through the air and somewhere beneath it you're curled up all warm and all right with nothing to carry, no reason at all for a care

Pre-chorus

The house settles down into shadows and breath the rail holds the light like it's keeping a vow so hush now, my darling, and let the day close

Chorus

Samuel, the glow on the stairway is watching you sleep every hush of the house is a hand on your head you are held here so gently, so quietly, so deep there is nowhere but here, there is nothing to dread

Verse 2

The rail wears a halo of dust turning slow in the light and the hallway breathes soft like it's rocking in time with your chest you don't need to know why you're loved so completely tonight only that you are, only that you can rest

Chorus

Samuel, the glow on the stairway is watching you sleep every hush of the house is a hand on your head you are held here so gently, so quietly, so deep there is nowhere but here, there is nothing to dread

Bridge

Sleep on, little one, while the light holds its place let the whole tired world turn to hush and to haze you are known, you are wanted, you're safe in this space

Chorus

Samuel, the glow on the stairway is watching you sleep every hush of the house is a hand on your head you are held here so gently, so quietly, so deep there is nowhere but here, there is nothing to dread

Outro

The bulb on the landing will burn while you're dreaming so deep carry that warmth with you, Samuel, all through your sleep