[Verse 1] The kettle sings before I wake I count the spoons and lose my place I tell myself, “You’re doing fine” Then answer back, “That’s not the point” My hands remember what I hide A name I keep behind my teeth I fold the morning into squares And leave one corner for the ache [Pre-Chorus] I know the words I know the way I almost say them Then let them wait [Chorus] Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I keep a little room for you Inside the part I never show Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I turn the thought around and round Till it forgets what it came for [Verse 2] I practice leaving in my head I make it three steps, then come back I tell myself the latch is loose I tell myself I never checked The old tsymbaly tune returns With bright small notes that won’t sit still I hear my own voice underneath Soft as a secret, still my own [Pre-Chorus] I know the words I know the way I almost say them Then let them wait [Chorus] Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I keep a little room for you Inside the part I never show Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I turn the thought around and round Till it forgets what it came for [Bridge] I put my doubts in a drawer They learn to open it themselves I tell them, “Not tonight” They answer, “We live here” So I breathe in slowly And let the whole room move [Final Chorus] Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I keep a little room for you Inside the part I never show Ah-ah, ya-ya Ah-ah, ya-ya I turn the thought around and round Till it forgets what it came for [Outro] Ah-ah, ya-ya I leave the kettle singing And take the long way home
