The Polished Glass

[Intro]
[Verse]
Two a.m. and the ice is thin
Sinking slow in a glass of gin
The trumpet moans a low refrain
Washing out the city rain
Shadows dance on the velvet floor
Nobody’s knockin' at the door
[Chorus]
He’s polishing the silver rim
The light is low and getting dim
He wears a smile that’s tired and deep
For secrets that he has to keep
Just a rag and a steady hand
In this quiet, hollow land
[Post-Chorus]
(Yeah, keep it swinging)
(Just the bass now)
(Soft and blue)
(Like that, yeah)
[Verse]
The upright bass begins to walk
Too late for any heavy talk
He wipes a spot that isn't there
With a cool and vacant stare
The amber glow hits the shelf
He’s talking softly to himself
[Hook]
One more pour for the road
Lighten up the heavy load
Watch the bubbles rise and fall
Writing ghost stories on the wall
[Bridge]
F minor blues on the keys
Blowing through the willow trees
He’s seen the lovers and the lies
Reflected in those weary eyes
Every scuff upon the wood
Tells a story understood
[Chorus]
He’s polishing the silver rim
The light is low and getting dim
He wears a smile that’s tired and deep
For secrets that he has to keep
Just a rag and a steady hand
In this quiet, hollow land
[Break]
(Scatting softly)
(Doo-ba-dee, da-ba-low)
(Let the trumpet speak)
(Nice and easy)
[Verse]
"You want another?" he asks me low
But we both know it’s time to go
The brushed snare whispers a goodbye
Underneath a heavy sky
He folds the cloth and turns the lock
Ignoring every ticking clock
[Hook]
One more pour for the road
Lighten up the heavy load
Watch the bubbles rise and fall
Writing ghost stories on the wall
[Chorus]
He’s polishing the silver rim
The light is low and getting dim
He wears a smile that’s tired and deep
For secrets that he has to keep
Just a rag and a steady hand
In this quiet, hollow land
[Outro]