leave the lamp on

Leave the lamp on

Leave the lamp on

We used to stand there at the door

Holding the letter, waiting on the road

Couldn't go back in,

couldn't set it down

Till the one who carries came around

Drop it

in the box and walk on Drop it in the box and

walk on

Oldest first, when the round comes

Leave the lamp on

Some houses sleep the whole night through

Only wake up when a knock comes true

A little work each time the knuckles fall

Then back to dark,

and that's not failing at all

Drop it in the box

and walk on

Drop it in the box and walk

on Oldest first, when the round comes

Leave the lamp on

(spoken, close)

You don't have to carry every message yourself.

You only have to make sure it can't be lost.

Write it down clear,

for the hands that come

after.

And when someone leaves,

clear their letters from the table,

so nothing goes out in the wrong name.

I told another where the pieces lie

Folded the map and left it by the eye

The next pair of hands won't have to guess

They'll find the road already dressed

Drop it in the box

and walk on Drop it in the box

and walk

on Oldest first, when the round comes Leave

the lamp on

Walk on The round still comes

Leave the lamp on

For the hands that come