Track 3 of the album The Pier Is Shut Till Easter · 2025
Unpacking in a City of Strangers
“Two suitcases and a houseplant, all I carried through the door. The houseplant has done better than I have.”
acoustic · fresh-start folk · hopeful acoustic · 3:30
Lyrics
Two suitcases and a houseplant That's all I carried through the door A new key on a ring that's cold A map I've never walked before The bakery smells of morning The tram bell rings the hour I don't know a single name here But I know I'll find my power Take it slow, take it slow Every city starts with one street One good coffee, one kind nod One familiar beat I'll learn the corners, learn the stairs Learn which window gets the sun Starting over is just a walk And I've only just begun The shopkeeper said, you're new here And handed me a pear Said the first one's on the house Welcome to the square I carried it up four flights And ate it by the sill The juice ran down my wrist And I felt the city's thrill Take it slow, take it slow Every city starts with one street One good coffee, one kind nod One familiar beat I'll learn the corners, learn the stairs Learn which window gets the sun Starting over is just a walk And I've only just begun There's a light across the courtyard Someone else is up tonight We don't know each other yet But the lamp feels kind and bright Months from now I'll know the bus The barber and the bread I'll say good morning like I mean it With the old life soft ahead And when I call my sister home I'll say it's going well That strangers turn to neighbours If you stay a while and dwell Take it slow, take it slow Every city starts with one street One good coffee, one kind nod One familiar beat I'll learn the corners, learn the stairs Learn which window gets the sun Starting over is just a walk And I've only just begun Only just begun Only just begun