Track 2 of the album Platform Nine · 2012
The Light Left On at Mr. Okafor's
“Mr. Okafor really did leave a light on for the whole street. I wrote the melody walking past his shop at night.”
neoclassical · neoclassical · nocturne · 4:14
Lyrics
Past the shuttered bakery Past the bus stop's silver rail One small window, orange-bright Shining through the rain and hail Bread and batteries and tea Postcards faded by the sun A bell above the doorway rings For every tired, wandering one The light left on at the corner shop Is a lighthouse on our street Milk and kindness, change and chat A little warmth for weary feet When the world has gone to sleep And the city's grey and deep The light left on at the corner shop Is a promise that we keep He knows who takes the morning news He knows who likes the ginger cake He saves the last one for the girl Who's studying hard and half awake Counting coins in careful hands Never asking, never keen A neighbourhood is built from this The small and steady and unseen The light left on at the corner shop Is a lighthouse on our street Milk and kindness, change and chat A little warmth for weary feet When the world has gone to sleep And the city's grey and deep The light left on at the corner shop Is a promise that we keep Years may pass and signs may change Windows brighten, windows fade But I will remember how it glowed Every night, and unafraid The light left on at the corner shop Is a lighthouse on our street Milk and kindness, change and chat A little warmth for weary feet When the world has gone to sleep And the city's grey and deep The light left on at the corner shop Is a promise that we keep The light left on The light left on