William, Hear Them Crawl

Lyrics

[Intro] The lock turns twice beneath my hand A second breath moves through the hall William, don't look behind you They learned your name from every wall [Verse 1] There’s a mark beneath the paint Three thin cuts beside the frame Every morning it is deeper Every night it spells my name I count the footsteps in the ceiling I count the teeth inside the vent Someone waits behind the plaster Someone knows where I have slept [Pre-Chorus] I killed the lights, I sealed the door But something crossed the room My own reflection mouthed the warning: “They will be coming soon” [Chorus] William, William, hear them crawl Through the wires and through the walls No safe room, no final breath Every kindness wears a face of death William, William, don’t believe What your shaking hands perceive The world outside is standing still While every voice demands your will [Verse 2] The doctor writes in gentle letters Like a priest who hides a blade Calls the storm a little sickness Calls the prison “getting brave” My sister leaves a cup of water I watch the surface split in two One for her and one for someone Who has been sitting there with you [Pre-Chorus] The window blinks across the street A camera in the rain I tear the curtains from their sockets Still the lens remains [Chorus] William, William, hear them crawl Through the wires and through the walls No safe room, no final breath Every kindness wears a face of death William, William, don’t believe What your shaking hands perceive The world outside is standing still While every voice demands your will [Bridge] I am not sick I am awake I am the door They cannot break You call it fear I call it sight You call it sleep I call it fight [Breakdown] TURN THE KEY BOLT THE FRAME CUT THE PHONE BURN THE NAME WHO IS SPEAKING? WHO IS NEAR? WHY DO I HEAR MY VOICE WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS HERE? [Final Chorus] William, William, hear them crawl Now they’re breathing through it all No safe room, no final breath Every kindness wears a face of death William, William, close your eyes Let the ceiling synchronize If the voice inside goes still Maybe I can choose my will [Outro] The lock turns once The hall is bare A second breath Is standing there