Track Insight / Lyrics
Grease stains the ribbon black and red
Coffee steam curls round the platen
Short-order jokes fly overhead
Regulars don't ask for satin
Bell dings, order up, the city sleeps
Typewriter hums where the gutter creeps
Fingers fly on QWERTY ghosts
Night shift ends when the morning toasts
Carbon Alley, carbon Alley
Keys don't bleed, they just tally
Neon rain on metal teeth
Stories typed in underneath
Bacon fat on space bar keys
Cook types "two eggs, if you please"
Egg yolk drips on shift and tab
Alley cat watches, grabs the slab
Bell dings, order up, the city sleeps
Typewriter hums where the gutter creeps
Fingers fly on QWERTY ghosts
Night shift ends when the morning toasts
Carbon Alley, carbon Alley
Keys don't bleed, they just tally
Neon rain on metal teeth
Stories typed in underneath
Rain slicks the neon coral sign
Reflects on carriage, cold and chrome
Cook pours coffee, draws a line
Types "ham on rye, bring it home"
Ribbon snaps, the story halts
Metal teeth bite fingertips
Cook serves pie, no sugar, no salts
Night City swallows manuscript
Carbon Alley, carbon Alley
Keys don't bleed, they just tally
Neon rain on metal teeth
Stories typed in underneath
Dawn cracks the alley's purple bruise
Typewriter sits, its work complete
Cook flips sign, "Closed," no excuse
Keys sleep quiet on the street
Carbon Alley, carbon Alley
Keys don't bleed, they just tally
Neon rain on metal teeth
Stories typed in underneath
Rain hits the carriage return
Keys sleep quiet, night watch burns