Meter stopped at three a.m.
Passenger left no tip again
Blade rests across my folded knees
Chrome reflects the Pleiades
Wipers sweep the glass clean slow
Memories pile like winter snow
Every fare a story told
Grows heavy when the night gets cold
Night watch on Shinjuku streets
Knight in rusted driver's seat
Broadsword leaning on the dash
Waiting for the morning crash
Neon bleeds in puddles deep
Promises the city won't keep
Salaryman slept through the ride
Dropped briefcase on the passenger side
Cherry blossoms fall on hood
Petals drifting through the wood
Wipers sweep the glass clean slow
Memories pile like winter snow
Every fare a story told
Grows heavy when the night gets cold
Night watch on Shinjuku streets
Knight in rusted driver's seat
Broadsword leaning on the dash
Waiting for the morning crash
Neon bleeds in puddles deep
Promises the city won't keep
Radio plays enka low
Static mixed with falling snow
Grandfather drove this same route
Before the bombs burned it all out
Steel remembers what hands forget
Honor paid in cigarette debt
Dawn will wash the grime away
Another shift, another day
Night watch on Shinjuku streets
Knight in rusted driver's seat
Broadsword leaning on the dash
Waiting for the morning crash
Neon bleeds in puddles deep
Promises the city won't keep
Fare box rattles loose change song
Engine hums a lullaby long
Sword goes back in leather sheath
Driver exhales underneath
Night watch on Shinjuku streets
Knight in rusted driver's seat
Broadsword leaning on the dash
Waiting for the morning crash
Neon bleeds in puddles deep
Promises the city won't keep
Night watch on Shinjuku streets
Knight in rusted driver's seat
Meter clicks to zero now
Sunrise paints the driver's brow