Correctional Officers' Blues

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Coffee gone cold on the counter again Keys at my hip and the clock at ten Dim-lit hallway, doors in a row Another long round where the hard hours go [Chorus] One more count, one more turn One more hour for the lamps to burn Hear that heavy door slam shut I keep walking, steady and numb This is the correctional officers’ blues [Verse 2] Boot heels drag where the paint wears thin A radio coughs, then settles again Names on a roster, faces I know I keep my voice even and my eyes low [Chorus] One more count, one more turn One more hour for the lamps to burn Hear that heavy door slam shut I keep walking, steady and numb This is the correctional officers’ blues [Bridge] The night runs long, the hallway bends I mark the hours till the shift line ends No grand escape, no easy news Just one more round in these work-worn shoes [Final Chorus] One more count, one more turn One more hour till the daylight returns Hear that heavy door slam shut I keep walking, steady and numb This is the correctional officers’ blues [Outro] Coffee gone cold, the keys come loose One last round in the officers’ blues