Track 2 of the album Lift the Lamps · 2016
Home by the First Light
“Written for the nurses who came to our shows straight off a twelve-hour shift. The sunrise key change is for them.”
classical crossover · anthemic choir · gospel groove · 3:47
Lyrics
Twelve hours of corridors, the monitors hum The last chart is signed and the morning has come I pull off my badge and I walk to the car The sky over the car park is losing its stars Windows down, the engine turns The tired road ahead of me burns gold Home by the first light, home by the first light Carry me gently through the end of the night Somebody breathes easier, somebody's well And I drive toward the morning with stories to tell Home by the first light The bakery shutters are rolling up slow A paper boy waves from the corner below I hold on to a hand that I held at three And the thank-you a stranger whispered to me Windows down, the engine turns The tired road ahead of me burns gold Home by the first light, home by the first light Carry me gently through the end of the night Somebody breathes easier, somebody's well And I drive toward the morning with stories to tell Home by the first light Every light along the road turns green Like the town is saying you are seen Rest now, rest now, the day will keep Everything that you could not keep Home by the first light, home by the first light Carry me gently through the end of the night Somebody breathes easier, somebody's well And I drive toward the morning with stories to tell Home by the first light Home by the first light Home