Frost climbs up the alley wall
Wind cannot reach this stone hall
Cobbler pulls his wool coat tight
Works the leather through the night
Steam rises from the polished hide
Brush circles slow on worn toe
Wax warms where the cold winds blow
Salt air cannot find him here
Calm settles like tide turned clear
Alley Cobbler buffs the boot
Winter wind stays cold and mute
Lantern swings on rusted arm
Warmth grows in this hidden charm
Alley Cobbler, Alley Cobbler
Salt crust forms on window glass
Tide marks time but cannot pass
Brush moves round the welt and seam
Dreams of calm in oil and cream
Leather drinks the wax he brings
Brush circles slow on worn toe
Wax warms where the cold winds blow
Salt air cannot find him here
Calm settles like tide turned clear
Alley Cobbler buffs the boot
Winter wind stays cold and mute
Lantern swings on rusted arm
Warmth grows in this hidden charm
Alley Cobbler, Alley Cobbler
Morning pale on cobblestone
Boots lined up in neat dry row
Each sole shines like polished bone
Ready for the salt and snow
He nods at work already done
Storm passed over harbor light
Keeper