He hides where the wet stones meet
Deep under the frozen street
With grease on his shaking hand
He tunes for a ghost command
Cold steel keys in the winter air
Bending notes with a steady glare
Turning rust into silver sound
Deep below the frozen ground
The coffee is black and thin
The winter wind bites the skin
He twists a brass screw just right
To keep out the heavy night
A hammer hits a copper string
Making the heavy alley ring
He hums a low midnight tune
Under a pale winter moon
Cold steel keys in the winter air
Bending notes with a steady glare
Turning rust into silver sound
Deep below the frozen ground
Metal on metal a sharp white spark
Cutting a hole through the heavy dark
One more turn for the perfect tone
Screaming out in a zone alone
He packs up his leather case
Wipes the salt from his tired face
The subway train shakes the wall
Waiting for the final call
Cold steel keys in the winter air
Bending notes with a steady glare
Turning rust into silver sound
Deep below the frozen ground
Cold steel keys.
Just one more turn.
Frozen ground.
