Rain falls on the cobblestones
You wipe the bench the night begins
You lift the boot the leather worn
The city hums a distant horn
Your hands move slow they know the grain
A quiet rhythm in the rain
Buff the toe and buff the heel
Stitch by stitch you make it real
Light spills gold on wet brick walls
You answer every silent call
The alley smells of tar and salt
Like waves that crash on cliff and vault
You worked the lamp for thirty years
Now polish boots to calm your fears
Buff the toe and buff the heel
Stitch by stitch you make it real
Light spills gold on wet brick walls
You answer every silent call
A passerby drops coin and sighs
You nod you don't meet searching eyes
The neon paints your fingers blue
But dawn will break and see you through
Buff the toe and buff the heel
Stitch by stitch you make it real
Light spills gold on wet brick walls
You answer every silent call
The storm rolls in from off the bay
You shield the shine you keep the grey
Each stroke a prayer each breath a hymn
You wait for morning on a whim
The lantern swings above the door
You've weathered worse than this before
The beam cuts through the thickest fog
You guide the lost you guide the dog
Now boots are lined in silent row
The rain lets up the winds blow low
You hang the apron strike the match
A single flame to spark the dark
Buff the toe and buff the heel
Stitch by stitch you make it real
Light spills gold on wet brick walls
You answer every silent call
The alley sleeps your work is done
The lantern keeps the rising sun
