Candle Ends

Lyrics

There's a drawer in the pantry I never open
Except when the power goes out
A tangle of candle ends, stubs and wicks
And a box with the matches in doubt
Each one has a story of somebody's table
A birthday, a storm, a long night
I light the least burned and I set it down slowly
And the kitchen turns amber and bright

Candle ends, candle ends
Small flames that were left for a friend
There's more light in a stub than you'd think
When the evening is ready to bend
Nothing is wasted that glows
Even the little that's left
Candle ends, candle ends
Warm as the best of what's spent

The tall white one burned for my sister's birthday
The blue one for the winter we moved
This green one was lit for a quiet supper
When there was just me and my food
I used to think saving them meant for something
A day that was worthy of fire
But the evening is worthy, the kettle, the hush
And a chair pulled up close to the wire

Candle ends, candle ends
Small flames that were left for a friend
There's more light in a stub than you'd think
When the evening is ready to bend
Nothing is wasted that glows
Even the little that's left
Candle ends, candle ends
Warm as the best of what's spent

I won't wait for the guests to arrive
Or the perfect occasion to shine
The ordinary Tuesday will do
If the shadows are gentle and kind
Let the wax run down in its own good time
Let it pool in the dish like a lake
All that is left can be lit tonight
For its own and its own quiet sake

Now the window is dark and the rain's on the glass
And the wick leans over and sighs
I'll read by this flicker till it gutters out
With the soft little smoke as it dies
Then there'll be one more stub for the drawer
One more small bit of the day
And I'll know where to find it in the dark
When the lights have all gone away

Candle ends, candle ends
Small flames that were left for a friend
There's more light in a stub than you'd think
When the evening is ready to bend
Nothing is wasted that glows
Even the little that's left
Candle ends, candle ends
Warm as the best of what's spent

Warm as the best of what's spent
Warm as the best of what's spent