Track 6 of the album Harbour Light · 2019
The Breakfast Trolley Rolls at Six
“A trolley rolling at six before the guests wake. I wanted it to sound like the kindest part of a hotel.”
art song · art song · cosy chamber · 4:18
Lyrics
Before the guests are stirring Before the curtains part The corridor is waking With a soft and steady start A trolley on the carpet A whisper of the wheels Warm bread and little jam jars And a day that gently peels Gold light on the skirting A kettle somewhere sighs The whole long hall is breathing Under pale and rosy skies The breakfast trolley rolls at six Soft as a lullaby Past a hundred sleeping doorways Underneath the dawn's first sky The breakfast trolley rolls at six And the whole world starts anew With the clink of cups and saucers And a morning meant for you A maid hums to the lift doors A porter yawns and smiles They keep the hours that nobody sees Along the quiet miles A rose in a tiny bud vase A folded linen sheet The kindness of the early shift Is gentle and complete Gold light on the skirting A kettle somewhere sighs The whole long hall is breathing Under pale and rosy skies The breakfast trolley rolls at six Soft as a lullaby Past a hundred sleeping doorways Underneath the dawn's first sky The breakfast trolley rolls at six And the whole world starts anew With the clink of cups and saucers And a morning meant for you Somewhere a traveller dreams of home Somewhere a bell will chime But here the hush is holy And the hour is kind and slow Coffee warm and rising Like the sun on the window The breakfast trolley rolls at six Soft as a lullaby Past a hundred sleeping doorways Underneath the dawn's first sky The breakfast trolley rolls at six And the whole world starts anew With the clink of cups and saucers And a morning meant for you Roll on, roll on, soft wheels Good morning, sleepy hall