Track 7 of the album Small Kindnesses · 2020
The Ice Machine Hums on Floor Six
“The carpet swallows your footsteps in every hotel I've ever stayed in. The ice machine is the only one awake.”
indie folk · hotel-room folk · late-night indie folk · 4:40
Lyrics
The carpet swallows every step I take Past a hundred numbered doors, all asleep The ice machine is humming on floor six A small cold lullaby for those who keep Their suitcase packed and their phone turned low Somewhere between the places that they know So hum along, ice machine, hum along You're the only one awake with me A stranger's town outside the glass And one soft light to see me through the night Hum along, hum along I'll find my way back home by morning A tray outside a door with one cold fork A pair of shoes set neatly by the wall Every room is someone's quiet story Folded small and breathing down the hall I think of you, the kettle and the stair The way you leave a lamp for me down there So hum along, ice machine, hum along You're the only one awake with me A stranger's town outside the glass And one soft light to see me through the night Hum along, hum along I'll find my way back home by morning Tomorrow there'll be coffee, there'll be trains There'll be a handshake and a polite goodbye But now there's only humming in the hall And the pale green exit sign, a patient eye I slide my key card, hear the little click The bed is white and made for no one yet I set my watch beside the window sill And I'll be kind to every road I get For all these halls are only passing through And every one of them still leads to you So hum along, ice machine, hum along You're the only one awake with me A stranger's town outside the glass And one soft light to see me through the night Hum along, hum along I'll find my way back home by morning Hum along, hum along Home by morning