Rung by Rung

Intro

Verse

He hooks his ladder on the rim of Mars

and wipes his gloves and walks between the stars

Each tired burner gets a turn of brass

he leaves them ticking in their cups of glass

He counts the pillows dotted on the map

and finds your curtain open just a gap

Refrain

Down the ladder into sleep he goes

(rung) (by rung)

through a latch that only nighttime knows

(tip and turn)

strikes a match along the edge of thought

(scratch) (and catch)

finds a lantern you had long forgot

(oil and wick)

Verse

Up in the attic past your broken toys

he lifts the linen back without a noise

A paper whale unfolds and starts to swim

a clockwork orchard rattles every limb

The rafters open on a violet tide

you take the oars, the whale rolls at your side

Celesta Solo

Verse

He checks a watch that has no hands at all

then leans his pole against the plaster wall

He wipes his sooty fingers on his sleeve

and tips his hat because he has to leave

He climbs to Vega where the oil runs thin

You wake and smell the sulphur on your skin

Refrain

Up the ladder now his boots are bound

(heel) (to toe)

for a fainter planet further round

(farther out)

but the lamp he left you hasn't dimmed

(full to the brim)

and each evening now its wick is trimmed

(snip) (and shine)

Instrumental