Track 1 of the EP Salt Hours · 2013
First Pay Packet, Midnight Shift
by Vanta Lux
“The first thing I ever finished: a seventeen-year-old's first night shift, hopeful and a little crooked. I opened with it because every beginning is a name tag on slightly wrong.”
house · warm house · late-night groove · 3:41
Lyrics
Apron stiff and a name tag crooked Seventeen and the night is long Mop and bucket, a radio humming I'm learning how to belong Chairs on tables, floor gone shining Manager nods and says good night Envelope thin but it's mine, all mine Folded small in the light First pay packet, midnight shift Small money, a big first lift First pay packet, I walk home slow Counting every streetlight's glow First pay packet, midnight shift Bus is late and I do not mind Stars on the glass like loose change I think of the things I'm going to buy Then of the things I'll keep the same A tape for my brother, bread for my mother A coat that fits at last I hold the envelope like a feather And let the whole night pass First pay packet, midnight shift Small money, a big first lift First pay packet, I walk home slow Counting every streetlight's glow First pay packet, midnight shift Tired feet and a lighter heart Every ending is a start Tired feet and a lighter heart Every ending is a start First pay packet, midnight shift Small money, a big first lift First pay packet, I walk home slow Counting every streetlight's glow First pay packet, midnight shift Midnight shift Walk home slow