My Ticket Curls

[Verse 1 — clipped vocals, fretless bass]
I throw the switches in the pouring rain
Get all your wishes to the proper train
Ten thousand arrivals, one delay
And that's the only one you name

[Pre-Chorus — rising toms]
My ticket curls inside my coat
A place I wanted, but I never go

[Chorus — bright melody, heavy syncopation]
Red light, green light, move the line
Everybody gets a track but mine
I clear your road, you count what's late
I live my life beside the gate
I'd pull the master switch tonight
But sleeping cars are tied to mine
(Tied to mine, tied to mine)

[Verse 2 — stripped groove]
You ask for faster, then another route
I turn the rails, my own dreams rust out

[Bridge — half-time]
I could tear the timetable in two
But people ride these rails who aren't you

[Outro — distant harmonies]
The station closes in my head
My hands stay here; my heart goes west