The Seat We Never Move — Ember of Midgard — Nordic Folk Rock

Full English Lyrics [Quiet Opening] There is a chair beside the table, No hand has moved it from its place. The wood is worn along the edges, Like years have left a gentle trace. The candles lean into the evening, The old beams answer every sound. And though your voice is not among us, Your name still travels all around. [Verse 1] We used to hear you through the doorway, Boots against the timber floor. You always had another story, Even when we'd heard it before. You knew the names of every mountain, Every inlet, field and stone. Now when winter fills the windows, That empty chair is not alone. [Pre-Chorus] Because someone always remembers How you laughed when times were hard. Someone keeps the words you gave us, Like an old and weathered guard. [Chorus] So leave the chair beside the table, Leave a place among our own. We will speak the tales you gave us, We will make your stories known. Though the years may pull us onward, Though the hall may change someday, Those we carry in our telling Never truly fade away. [Verse 2] A child now asks about the carving That you made beside the door. I tell them how you shaped the timber, How your songs could shake the floor. I tell them you were never fearless, Only brave enough to stand. That you helped the ones beside you When they could not raise a hand. The child looks toward the empty chair then, Like perhaps you'll soon appear. And for one brief breath of silence, It almost feels like you are here. [Pre-Chorus] For a life becomes a thousand Little things we choose to keep: Words repeated by the living, Promises we still will reap. [Chorus] So leave the chair beside the table, Leave a place among our own. We will speak the tales you gave us, We will make your stories known. Though the years may pull us onward, Though the hall may change someday, Those we carry in our telling Never truly fade away. [Instrumental Build] Tagelharpa and nyckelharpa begin softly. Deep drums enter beneath melodic guitars. Flutes answer the main melody as the Nordic choir slowly grows. [Bridge] Maybe no one stays forever. Maybe that was never owed. We are footsteps for a season On a long and winding road. But every kindness leaves an echo, Every lesson plants a seed. Every story told by someone Gives another what they need. So when another chair stands empty, And another name is said, We will know that love and memory Walk beside us still instead. [Final Chorus – Full Nordic Choir] Leave the chair beside the table! Leave a place among our own! We will speak the tales you gave us! We will make your stories known! Let the drums roll through the rafters! Let the voices fill the hall! No one vanishes completely While their stories live in all! Leave the chair beside the table! Let the old songs find their way! Those we carry in our telling Never truly fade away! [Outro] And when the candles burn down slowly, And the final songs are through, There will still be one chair waiting— And a thousand tales of you.