Rain slicks the chrome on his shoulder blade
Neon bleeds purple on cheap lemonade
His badge rests heavy in his wool coat
He counts the hours till he unlocks it
He sings a trench coat gospel low
Where alley cats and sinners go
No halo shines on wet concrete
Just whiskey breath and cold retreat
Steam curls up from a grated manhole
He lights a cigarette discovers
Red lipstick stain on a matchbook wrap
Another husband another lover
He sings a trench coat gospel low
Where alley cats and sinners go
No halo shines on wet concrete
Just whiskey breath and cold retreat
Sirens wail through brick and mortar walls
He checks his watch ignores the quarter hours
Dame in red heels clicks past the doorway
He tips his hat continues his survey
He sings a trench coat gospel low
Where alley cats and sinners go
No halo shines on wet concrete
Just whiskey breath and cold retreat
Choir voice cracked but never broken
Hymns half remembered softly spoken
He knows the psalms of pavement grinding
Absolution found in shadows finding
Paper cup steams on the fire escape
Morning cracks the night's dark velvet drape
He folds his coat puts on the shield again
Another shift begins in cold rain
He sings a trench coat gospel low
Where alley cats and sinners go
No halo shines on wet concrete
Just whiskey breath and cold retreat
Trench coat gospel fades to gray
He walks the beat into the day
