The Watch at Ten

Lyrics

[Intro] Rain tapped twice on the window frame A dead man's watch had stopped at ten I lit one match, I read the name And took the long way in [Verse 1] You called me down to Mercer Street With a bruise beneath your eye Said, "Detective, find the thief" But wouldn't say who died A silver button by the stair A boot print in the flour Somebody left a wedding chair Still warm from half an hour [Chorus] I follow the mark, I follow the lie I follow the money where the clean hands hide When the truth wears a stranger's coat I'll pull that collar till the whole thing shows [Verse 2] The bartender kept a ledger book Behind the bottle rack Three names crossed with a butcher's hook And one name written back Your brother swore he never came Your sister lost her nerve But the watch began to speak your name With every turn I heard [Chorus] I follow the mark, I follow the lie I follow the money where the clean hands hide When the truth wears a stranger's coat I'll pull that collar till the whole thing shows [Bridge] At dawn I found the missing key Inside your winter glove No locked-room mystery, no ghost to blame Just fear dressed up as love [Guitar Solo] [Verse 3] You met me by the freight-yard gate With the watch inside your palm Said, "I was late, I was afraid, I never meant him harm" I saw the button on your sleeve The same one by the stair You broke the silence, I made you leave And let the sirens take the air [Final Chorus] I follow the mark, I follow the lie I follow the money where the clean hands hide When the truth wears a stranger's coat I'll pull that collar till the whole thing shows No saint, no devil, just a debt come due The case is closed, but it still smells like you [Outro] Rain tapped once on the window frame The watch began to run I wrote your name beneath the flame And waited for the sun