Track 1 of the single Overtime Blues · 2024
Saturday Barber, Closing Time
by Earl Dupree & The Late Shift
“This one's a Saturday-afternoon picture from the barber shop I've been walking past my whole life. We kept it loose and playful, and the organ just sat back and grinned.”
soul · soul-jazz · memphis soul · organ groove · 3:18
Lyrics
Red and white pole turning slow Last chair of the day, nowhere to go He shakes the cape and he snaps it out Says sit down, son, let's talk it out Scissors sing and the radio hums Talk of the ballgame and how the weather comes He's trimmed three generations of the same town's hair Knows all their secrets, keeps them there Saturday barber, closing time Warm towel, sweet talk, a dollar and a dime Sweep up the hair and the stories too There's always a little more to say to you Saturday barber, closing time A boy on a board gets his very first cut Mother holds her breath, the room goes hush Old man in the corner, he winks at the kid Says I remember when I did Saturday barber, closing time Warm towel, sweet talk, a dollar and a dime Sweep up the hair and the stories too There's always a little more to say to you Saturday barber, closing time Mirror on the left and mirror on the right Every face you see is a face in the light He tilts your chin and he says hold still A little off the top and a little good will Saturday barber, closing time Warm towel, sweet talk, a dollar and a dime Sweep up the hair and the stories too There's always a little more to say to you Saturday barber, closing time Flip the sign, turn the key See you next week, same time for me