The Arrow of Time

Synthesizer intro

I ran barefoot across the wet morning lawn

The iron pump handle was cold in my hand

I pushed it down and drank past the rust

Sweet water, washing away the yard dirt

I thought the stream would never stop.

Ohh, I thought it would always be there.

Bass guitar starts

Now I watch the gray suits on the TV screen

Trading green paper for rivers and trees

The news smells like burning oil and pride

I try to warn you, but my throat is too dry

(Too dry)

The phone lines are down, the letters are burned

We nod our heavy heads and wait our turn.

Chorus

We pushed the handle till the metal gave way

Drawing up mud at the end of the day

The well of it all, the bucket is cracked

(Bucket is cracked)

We spent the water, we can't buy it back.

Yeah, we sold the rain.

Synthesizer

I stare at your picture on the edge of my desk

A brown coffee ring staining your smile

I dial your number, but I just hang up

(Hang up the phone)

What is there to say when the glass is empty?

I taste copper pennies on my tongue

Sitting awake in a sleeping house.

Just breathing in the dust.

(Breathing the dust)

Chorus

We pushed the handle till the metal gave way

Drawing up mud at the end of the day

The well of it all, the bucket is cracked

(Bucket is cracked)

We spent the water, we can't buy it back.

Yeah, we sold the rain.

Guitar solo

Marching Drums

The clock ticks hard against the plaster wall

(Against the wall)

Counting the hours we can't afford to lose

But I leave the window open to the dark

And I feel a cool breeze creeping in

Smelling of pine needles and damp earth

(Damp earth)

Maybe the clouds are finally gathering

Maybe a single drop will fall.

(Just one drop)

Outro

Just one drop to start again.

Wait for the storm.

(Wait for the storm)

The rusted iron squeaks.

Ohh.

We'll hold out our hands.

(Hold out our hands)

We'll catch the rain.

Fade out