The Sing - Bill Callahan

Drinking

While sleeping

Strangers unknowingly keep me company

In the hotel bar

Looking out a window

That isn’t there

Looking at the carpet

And the chairs

The only words I’ve said today are «beer» and «thank you»

Beer…

Thank you

Beer…

Thank you

Beer…

Giving praise in a quiet way

Like a church

Like a church

Like a church

That’s far away

I’ve got limitations

Like Marvin Gaye

Mortal joy is that way

Outside a train sings its whale song

To a long, long train

Long long gone

Then silence comes back alone

High as scaffolding

Until the wind finds something to ping

Or the pinging thing finds the wind

We’re all looking for a body

Or a means to make one sing