The Second Cup

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Him] The harbor rope is wet beneath my hands Your blue cup waits beside the kitchen sink I count the hours by the gulls that turn And miss the quiet way you stop and think [Verse 2: Her] Your coat still hangs behind the pantry door The sleeve is salt-stiff where you brushed my cheek I set two plates before I catch myself Then leave the second clean beside the week [Pre-Chorus: Him] I take the boat where morning meets the gray To earn the bread and keep our small place warm [Pre-Chorus: Her] I keep the porch lamp burning through the rain And save the news I know you’ll ask me for [Chorus: Both] Hold on, my love, the tide will turn us home Though miles of water keep us far apart I carry you in every line I haul You keep me safe inside your waiting heart Soon we’ll be sitting where the kettle sings Your hand in mine, the long days finally done Hold on, my love, the tide will turn us home And we will meet again beneath one roof [Verse 3: Him] The deck is cold before the sun comes up The nets come heavy, silver in the spray I trade my sleep for what the market brings And dream of you along the whole way back [Verse 4: Her] I mend the cuff you tore last autumn out And mark the calendar with careful ink The neighbor says the weather’s easing soon I read your last short note and stop to think [Bridge: Both] If the wind is kind, if the crossing holds If the clouds lift clear above the bay I’ll be watching from the harbor wall You’ll be walking up the road our way [Final Chorus: Both] Hold on, my love, the tide will turn us home Though miles of water kept us far apart I carried you in every line I hauled You kept me safe inside your waiting heart Soon we’ll be sitting where the kettle sings Your hand in mine, the long days finally done Hold on, my love, the tide has turned us home And we are here again beneath one roof [Outro: Both, soft] The second cup is warm beside the first The harbor quiets; you are home at last