Track 11 of the album The Long Thaw · 2018
The Shoes at the Back of the Wardrobe
“Silver straps gone dull with rust. A quiet closer, and the last thing the thaw leaves behind.”
art song · art song · nostalgic ballad · 4:14
Lyrics
Behind the coats, a shoebox, soft with dust Silver straps gone dull with years of rust I lift the lid and something stirs inside A ballroom light I thought had died The heel is worn where once I turned so fast A faded ticket from a night long past I hold them like a letter, like a hand That once led me across the floor to stand Oh, the shoes at the back of the wardrobe Still remember every turn Still keep the quiet music For a step I might yet learn Time may fold the evening But the waltz is not undone The shoes at the back of the wardrobe Wait for me, and I'm the one I slip one on, it fits the way it did The hallway hums with something I had hid One slow step across the wooden floor And I am dancing as I did before No one is watching, and no one has to know The floor is a river, and I let it flow What I lost was only put away And I can find it any day Oh, the shoes at the back of the wardrobe Still remember every turn Still keep the quiet music For a step I might yet learn Time may fold the evening But the waltz is not undone The shoes at the back of the wardrobe Wait for me, and I'm the one Wait for me And I'm the one