Porch Light Visitor

Lyrics

[Verse 1] You were standing by the old toll gate With a coat too thin for the frost I heard my name from the empty lane Then every small sound stopped You held out a silver matchbox Asked me what year it was Your fingers never bent around it But the flame still found your thumb [Pre-Chorus] I took one step, the gravel turned A cold line crossed my wrist You said, “Don’t follow where I go” Then vanished in the mist [Chorus] Who were you waiting for? Who left you at that door? Your face was mine in the winter glass But older than the town remembers Who were you waiting for? Why did you know my mother’s name? When I reached for you, the gate swung wide And the road was gone again [Verse 2] At home, the kettle clicked at midnight Though I had pulled the plug Wet footprints crossed the kitchen tiles And ended beside my bed The matchbox lay on the table Stamped with a date from years ago Inside, one blackened match was burning Without a hand to hold [Pre-Chorus] I heard three knocks beneath the floor Then one voice through the wall It said, “You promised you would come back” I never promised at all [Chorus] Who were you waiting for? Who left you at that door? Your face was mine in the winter glass But older than the town remembers Who were you waiting for? Why did you know my mother’s name? When I reached for you, the gate swung wide And the road was gone again [Bridge] Now every winter, near the toll gate I leave a match beneath the sign If you are still there, keep your distance If you are me, stay out of mine [Final Chorus] Who were you waiting for? Who left you at that door? I saw my face in the winter glass And heard the town remember Who were you waiting for? The answer came without a name When I turned back, the gate stood open And my footprints led away [Outro] My footprints led away My footprints led away