Track 10 of the album Letters from the Road, Postmarked Home · 2023
Chalk on My Sleeve, Last Day of June
“The last bell rings and the hallway turns to thunder. We end the record on a cheer, because it felt rude not to.”
bossa nova · bossa nova · anthemic samba · 3:13
Lyrics
The last bell rings at three o'clock The hallway turns to thunder Chalk dust on my sleeve again The windows open wider A paper plane goes sailing by Somebody lost a shoe The whole school building holds its breath Then lets the summer through Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Wave them out the door Every little one I taught Is walking out for more Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Summer's at the gate I stand here in the empty room And smile, and let them wait A card with crooked crayon words Sits on my desk today Thank you for the red pen stars Thank you for the way You said I could, so I did A boy of seven wrote I'll keep it in my coat pocket Next to the little note Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Wave them out the door Every little one I taught Is walking out for more Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Summer's at the gate I stand here in the empty room And smile, and let them wait Desks are stacked and the board is clean The clock keeps ticking slow Somewhere down the dusty street I hear them laugh and go Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Wave them out the door Every little one I taught Is walking out for more Chalk on my sleeve, last day of June Summer's at the gate I stand here in the empty room And smile, and let them wait Chalk on my sleeve Last day of June Go on, go on, I'll see you soon