Steel beams shake in the winter wind
Where the heavy city traffic thinned
I take the coins from a shaking hand
Standing guard on this concrete land
Pay the toll for the midnight ride
Keep the heavy secrets deep inside
Hear the sax from the basement floor
I can't stay on this side no more
You wear a dress made of velvet blue
Looking for a rhythm something new
I watch the cars in a steady line
Counting seconds till the clock strikes nine
Pay the toll for the midnight ride
Keep the heavy secrets deep inside
Hear the sax from the basement floor
I can't stay on this side no more
Brass notes climb through the iron grate
While I linger by the garden gate
One gold dollar for a ticket out
Something real that I can scream and shout
Break the chain and let the engine roar
Kick the lock on every bolted door
Sinking low where the bass line beats
Walking fast on these frozen streets
I leave the booth and the metal cage
Turning over a brand new page
You hold the door with a steady glow
Now we both have a place to go
Pay the toll for the midnight ride
Keep the heavy secrets deep inside
Hear the sax from the basement floor
I can't stay on this side no more
Silver coins on the dirty ground
Lost the way to the only sound
Now the music is a rushing flood
Feeling thunder in the winter blood
Pay the toll for the midnight ride
Keep the heavy secrets deep inside
Hear the sax from the basement floor
I can't stay on this side no more
Pay the toll now
Pay the toll now
(Group shout)
Ride!
