Ten Minutes to Closing, Mr. Alvarez

Lyrics

Ten minutes to closing, Mr. Alvarez
The mop's in the bucket, the lights are half down
You wipe off the counter, you hum something lazy
The last of the diners are heading to town
You've served up the soup and you've served up the stories
You've poured out the coffee for lonely and loud
And now there's a hush, and a little bit of glory
In knowing you gave your whole heart to the crowd

So swing the sign around, Mr. Alvarez
Tell the night it's time to rest
Hang your apron on the hook, Mr. Alvarez
You have done your very best
The neon's turning sleepy
And the street is washed in blue
Ten minutes to closing, Mr. Alvarez
And the town is thanking you

A trucker left a tip in a hat-shaped napkin
A student left a poem on the check
A couple shared a slice and a little laughing
You kept the little kindnesses on deck
The jukebox plays a tune from somewhere older
The pie is wrapped for someone on the way
You lock the door and lean against your shoulder
And whistle at the end of a long day

So swing the sign around, Mr. Alvarez
Tell the night it's time to rest
Hang your apron on the hook, Mr. Alvarez
You have done your very best
The neon's turning sleepy
And the street is washed in blue
Ten minutes to closing, Mr. Alvarez
And the town is thanking you

Oh the stools spin slowly round
Like the world at the end of the day
And the last warm cup is yours
Before you walk away

You flip the switch and the whole place glows blue
For one more second in the dark
Then the street takes you in like it always knew
And you whistle a tune in the park

So swing the sign around, Mr. Alvarez
Tell the night it's time to rest
Hang your apron on the hook, Mr. Alvarez
You have done your very best
The neon's turning sleepy
And the street is washed in blue
Ten minutes to closing, Mr. Alvarez
And the town is thanking you

Mr. Alvarez
Goodnight to you