Track 9 of the album Say It Louder Than the Silence · 2025
The Switchboard Lamp Burns at Three
“One small lamp burning by the telephone at three in the morning. I wanted it to feel like company.”
art song · art song · dream pop · 3:33
Lyrics
Three in the morning, the town has gone to bed One small lamp is burning by the telephone instead A woman at the switchboard with a flask of tea Keeping watch for anyone who needs her company The line is mostly quiet, a hum, a breath, a sigh Somewhere a clock is ticking and a train goes by She hears the silver silence like a sea against the shore And she waits, and she waits, in case there's something more Burn on, little lamp, at three Burn for the ones who cannot sleep Someone out there, wide awake Is holding on to you and me Burn on, little lamp, burn slow The night is long but the dawn will know Your light is a hand in the dark A small gold promise, burn on, burn on A call comes in at ten past, a voice that's thin and low I couldn't sleep, I'm sorry, I just wanted someone to know She says there's no apology, the hour is ours to share And they talk about the weather and the stars up in the air Burn on, little lamp, at three Burn for the ones who cannot sleep Someone out there, wide awake Is holding on to you and me Burn on, little lamp, burn slow The night is long but the dawn will know Your light is a hand in the dark A small gold promise, burn on, burn on And the window turns from black to blue The first bird tries a note or two The line goes soft, the voice says thanks And the lamp can rest, the night gave thanks Burn on, little lamp, at three Burn on, burn on, till morning