[Verse 1] You brought home a ticket stub From a train that crossed the rain A chipped blue cup from Lisbon A map with salt along the frame Each little thing says, “Look how far” Each little mark says, “Look how long” You set them by the kitchen clock And hear the years inside their song [Pre-Chorus] The hands keep turning, soft and sure While all your treasures gather dust You count the miles that made them yours And feel the wonder with the cost [Chorus] Tick-tock, tuck it in the drawer One more little world you wore Every keepsake, every mile Takes a minute, leaves a smile Tick-tock, turn the brass key round Hear the years in what you found Life keeps time in what we keep Beautiful and bittersweet [Verse 2] A pressed leaf from the mountain road A paper crown from your child’s parade The tiny shell you carried home From the summer you both stayed You hold them up against the light And see the days that made them shine The clock collects your souvenirs Then lends their weight back to your time [Pre-Chorus] The hands keep turning, soft and sure While all your treasures gather dust You count the miles that made them yours And feel the wonder with the cost [Chorus] Tick-tock, tuck it in the drawer One more little world you wore Every keepsake, every mile Takes a minute, leaves a smile Tick-tock, turn the brass key round Hear the years in what you found Life keeps time in what we keep Beautiful and bittersweet [Bridge] Don’t throw the ticket, don’t erase the stain Don’t wish away the miles that made it yours The clock can count, but it can’t explain Why one small thing can open every door [Final Chorus] Tick-tock, tuck it in the drawer One more little world you wore Every keepsake, every mile Takes a minute, leaves a smile Tick-tock, turn the brass key round Hear the years in what you found Life keeps time in what we keep Beautiful and bittersweet [Outro] Keep the shell, keep the ticket stub Keep the days that made you love
