Projector hums a low blue song
Reel spins slow where I belong
Coffee stains on my cuff remain
Diner grease in the bone and vein
[Pre-
Footsteps splash on the wet blacktop
Heavy boots never seem to stop
Shadow stretches long and thin
Night shift waits for the dawn to begin
Counting neon footsteps in the rain
Washing grease off the window pane
Light throws shadows on the alley wall
I don't hear a single call
Film burns bright then turns to ash
Flicker dies in a sudden flash
Regulars order the same old grind
Eggs over easy leaving me behind
[Pre-
Footsteps splash on the wet blacktop
Heavy boots never seem to stop
Shadow stretches long and thin
Night shift waits for the dawn to begin
Counting neon footsteps in the rain
Washing grease off the window pane
Light throws shadows on the alley wall
I don't hear a single call
Tube amp hums on the dashboard radio
Static hiss on the late night show
Spring reverb shakes the dusty air
Empty stool at the counter there
Rain stops falling the neon dies
Projection beam cuts the dark sky
Footsteps fade to a quiet tap
Dreaming deep in the projection trap
Counting neon footsteps in the rain
Washing grease off the window pane
Light throws shadows on the alley wall
I don't hear a single call
Reel runs out the light goes dead
Pack the cans rest my heavy head
Coffee cold in the chipped white mug
Walk the slick steps through the thick fog
Counting neon footsteps in the rain
Washing grease off the window pane
Light throws shadows on the alley wall
I don't hear a single call
Counting neon footsteps in the rain
Washing grease off the window pane
Last light dies on the alley wall
No footsteps left to call
Projector hum fades to black
Rain keeps counting on the track