Fred in Hamden

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Down on the corner of Hamden There’s a small shop with a big bright soul Fred’s in the window at sunrise Bent over glass like it’s pure gold Sixty-six and bald as a cue ball Forty years with a steady hand He bends that tube like a ribbon Makes the dark look like it’s got plans [Pre-Chorus] He’s got ink on his fingers And burn marks on his sleeves Every sign that he sends out Feels like a little heartbeat You can hear him say Come on in, come on in [Chorus] Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden He makes that glow hang on Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden When the night goes on too long (Oh-oh-oh) He turns the dark to diamond (Oh-oh-oh) Fred in Hamden shines on [Verse 2] He’s fixed up diners and barber shops Pizza joints and the old movie place A motel arrow with a missing word And a jukebox bar with a broken face He knows every cracked-up curb Every truck that slows to stare Kids press their noses to the glass Like the whole town’s waiting there [Pre-Chorus] He’s got steady hands And a patient smile He can make a name Stay lit awhile You can hear him say Not done yet, not done yet [Chorus] Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden He makes that glow hang on Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden When the night goes on too long (Oh-oh-oh) He turns the dark to diamond (Oh-oh-oh) Fred in Hamden shines on [Bridge] Forty years and counting With a ladder and a dream Same old shop, same blue sign Same stubborn river beam And when the winter’s biting He just laughs and rolls his eyes Says a town needs a little color To keep its windows alive [Final Chorus] Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden He makes that glow hang on Fred in Hamden, Fred in Hamden When the night goes on too long (Oh-oh-oh) He turns the dark to diamond (Oh-oh-oh) Fred in Hamden shines on (Shines on) Fred in Hamden shines on