Track 6 of the album Ice in the Glass · 2012
Cufflinks on the Nightstand
“Silver moons from a long-ago spring, left on a nightstand. A small object, and a lot to carry in a song.”
jazz · nostalgic jazz · vocal jazz · 3:40
Lyrics
Two small cufflinks on the nightstand Silver moons from a long-ago spring He wore them to the dance hall Fridays Now they wait there, shining, for the ring Of a telephone, a knock, a footstep But the house just hums its quiet tune I polish them with my shirt sleeve In the lamplight of the afternoon Cufflinks on the nightstand, keep the time Little silver witnesses of mine Every button that we fastened tight Every slow dance in the half-light Cufflinks on the nightstand, shine for me Hold the evening, hold the memory He said a man should dress for the music Even if the music is just the rain So I wore a tie to the kitchen table And we danced between the sugar and the cane Now I fasten them for no occasion Just to feel the weight of a good old night And the mirror gives me back a gentleman Who still believes the evening will be right Cufflinks on the nightstand, keep the time Little silver witnesses of mine Every button that we fastened tight Every slow dance in the half-light Cufflinks on the nightstand, shine for me Hold the evening, hold the memory Some things are small enough to carry Some things are small enough to keep A little shine, a little pocket of the past For the nights when sleep won't sweep So tonight I'll wear them to the corner Where the band still plays a Tuesday tune I'll ask the lady by the window If she'd care for one slow dance, and soon Cufflinks on the nightstand, keep the time Little silver witnesses of mine Every button that we fastened tight Every slow dance in the half-light Cufflinks on the nightstand, shine for me Hold the evening, hold the memory Silver moons, silver moons Shine for me