One More Verse Before the Lights Come Up

Tracks

1. 1. Walk to the Stool Like You Mean ItThe cafe lights are yellow, the mic stand wobbles slightly, and I walk to the stool like I mean it. It's a pep talk I give myself, out loud.xinyao-tinged folk, hopeful folk2:43
2. 2. Walk Straight Past the Doubters, LoveI carried a songbook in a paper bag past the laughing crowd and sang anyway. This one is for anyone who needs permission.xinyao-tinged folk, confident folk3:39
3. 3. Count to Ten in the CorridorThere's a door at the end with frosted glass and a voice calling my name. I counted to ten, and then I went in.xinyao-tinged folk, hopeful folk2:59
4. 4. The Empty Stadium Sings BackThe gates were left open and the crowd long gone, and my footsteps sounded like applause. I stood on the centre spot and sang very quietly.dreamy folk, hopeful ballad3:13
5. 5. The Lift Stops at Your FloorHalf past eleven in a hotel in the rain, and the brass doors slide open with a sigh. It's a very small love song in a very large building.hotel folk, romantic folk3:43
6. 6. Fourth Floor, Last Door on the LeftThe carpet swallows every step and the lamps are turned down low. I wrote it on the last night of a long trip.hotel folk, hushed acoustic3:19
7. 7. Shoes in My Hand, Down the Quiet HallThe wedding band is packing up and the balloons have lost their lift. I carried my shoes down the hall so I wouldn't wake anyone.romantic folk, late-night ballad3:30
8. 8. Vending Machine Coffee at Two A.M.Vending machine coffee, bolted chairs and a clock above the door that's slow. I wrote it waiting for news, and the news was good.hushed folk, hopeful ballad3:59
9. 9. Ward Lights Out, Stars Coming InI dim the lamps along the ward and the stars come in. I did night shifts for a year, and this is what I remember of them.night folk, hushed ballad3:19
10. 10. The Light Comes Up on Someone Else's WashingFrom the roof at the edge of the city, dawn spills over somebody else's washing. It's the song I'd play at the very start of morning.dawn folk, dreamy folk3:48
11. 11. Sit Closer, the Fire Is LowThe logs have settled into embers and the windows wear a frost-flower. Sit closer, please, it's nearly the end.cosy acoustic, romantic folk3:48
12. 12. One More Verse Before the Lights Come UpThe chairs are going up on the tables and the glasses are clinking away, and I get one more verse. It's the closer because it always is.closing-time ballad, hushed folk4:21