Repairman leans on cracked yellow tile
Counts the knots in every cable pile
Thermos steam curls in fluorescent glare
Checks his watch no train is running there
Floor tom throbs beneath the platform edge
Fuzz guitars scream off the tunnel ledge
He strips the sheath shows copper bright
Splices quick before the morning light
Three AM splice on the downtown track
Wires kiss and there is no turning back
Static hum drowns out the station clock
One clean joint holds the city block
Diner coffee black and thick as mud
Short stack sits drowned in syrup flood
Repairman laughs a dry and raspy sound
Wipes his gloves on greasy coveralls
Floor tom throbs beneath the platform edge
Fuzz guitars scream off the tunnel ledge
He twists the pair a mechanic's knot
Signal flows where silence held the spot
Three AM splice on the downtown track
Wires kiss and there is no turning back
Static hum drowns out the station clock
One clean joint holds the city block
Rattan stool squeaks when the cook turns round
Order up two eggs hash browns hit the ground
Regulars bet the next train's arrival
Cook just shrugs been watching for survival
Tape flanger swirls the moment stretches thin
Analog bass vibrates the bone within
He holds his breath the connection holds or breaks
Dawn bleeds pink through grates the city makes
Three AM splice on the downtown track
Wires kiss and there is no turning back
Static hum drowns out the station clock
One clean joint holds the city block
Rumble shakes the tiles beneath his boots
Headlight cuts the dark the train pursues
He packs his kit the splice is solid tight
Steps aboard before the morning light
Three AM splice on the downtown track
Wires kiss and there is no turning back
Static hum drowns out the station clock
One clean joint holds the city block
Coffee pours the grill sings sizzle song
Another splice done right before the dawn
