Track 8 of the album The Lighthouse Years · 2017
Dawn on the Groundsman's Line
“The groundsman marks the line before anyone arrives. I wanted to give him the stirring music the players get.”
cinematic pop · cinematic pop · anthemic · 5:01
Lyrics
Before the gates, before the crowd Before the first bright flag is raised I walk the grass with a roller and rope In the quiet grey of the early days I paint the lines both straight and true I trim the edges, soft and low The whole great bowl is holding its breath For the roar that is yet to go Nobody sees the hands that make The pitch where the legends will run Dawn on the groundsman's line Every blade of grass is mine Chalk and dew and the morning light Make the field a canvas bright Dawn on the groundsman's line Every stripe and every sign Let the thunder come, let the crowd arrive I have made the green alive The sun climbs up the empty stands Gold on every silent seat I stand at the centre, a small bright dot With the whole wide dawn at my feet Nobody sees the hands that make The pitch where the legends will run Dawn on the groundsman's line Every blade of grass is mine Chalk and dew and the morning light Make the field a canvas bright Dawn on the groundsman's line Every stripe and every sign Let the thunder come, let the crowd arrive I have made the green alive And when the whistle splits the air And a hundred thousand sing I'll be home with a cup of tea Listening to the ring Dawn on the groundsman's line Every blade of grass is mine Chalk and dew and the morning light Make the field a canvas bright Dawn on the groundsman's line Every stripe and every sign Let the thunder come, let the crowd arrive I have made the green alive I have made the green alive