He climbs the ladder in the dark
Below the city's electric spark
He finds the cable in the wall
Before the heavy curtains fall
Golden light in a basement room
Cutting through the velvet gloom
Copper wires humming a song
Where the lonely spirits belong
He sees the horn and the silver key
A hidden world for the eyes to see
The brass is polished and the air is thick
The clock on the wall has a steady tick
He fixes lines for a distant call
While portraits lean against the wall
He smells the cedar and the old perfume
Inside the hollow of a jazz club room
Golden light in a basement room
Cutting through the velvet gloom
Copper wires humming a song
Where the lonely spirits belong
The signal jumps across the line
A moment frozen and a design fine
He holds the pliers in a steady grip
While the rhythm makes the spirit slip
He packs his bag as the music dies
The city wakes under iron skies
He leaves the glow of the basement floor
And closes tight the heavy wooden door
Golden light in a basement room
Cutting through the velvet gloom
Copper wires humming a song
Where the lonely spirits belong
Copper wire glow
Copper wire glow
