Track Insight / Lyrics
Ring, ring, the old line hums
Counting years in silver coils
Hold the receiver, feel it breathe
Like a winter keeping seat
Dust on keypad, rusted hinge
One red button, one false ring
Scratch of names along the edge
Words fall crooked, shred by shred
Once a year, the payphone rings
Your old name catches, sparks, takes wing
Through the static, far-off choir
Sings the echo sharp and clear
Yellow paper, folded sheet
Pinned beneath a numbered key
Coins have climbed into the bell
Rain has stitched the cracks so well
Once a year, the payphone rings
Your old name catches, sparks, takes wing
Through the static, far-off choir
Sings the echo sharp and clear
Motel sign through low blue glow
Half the broken letters say go
In the glass, your outline bends
On the road, your ghost pretends
Once a year, the payphone rings
Your old name catches, sparks, takes wing
Through the static, far-off choir
Sings the echo sharp and clear
Then a voice, thin as moth wings
Coughs your number back to you
One clear note, then nothing clings
Just the dial hum, rings true
Thunder rolls beyond the stand
Rain beads thick across your hand
Lift the receiver, let it prove
All the words you could not move
Once a year, the payphone rings
Your old name catches, sparks, takes wing
Through the static, far-off choir
Sings the echo sharp and clear
Once a year, the payphone rings
Every silence breaks and takes wing
Through the static, heavenly choirs
Sing your name across the wires
Let it fade, let the line rest
Let the silver cord grow still
Keep the repeat in your chest
Like a hymn upon the hill