[Intro: solo 12-string acoustic, fingerpicked, 8 bars, no drums, no bass] [Full Band] [Verse 1] Half past six and the ceiling knows my number Pipes are knocking out a rhythm I can't use There's a fella in the glass there doing sums he can't remember Wearing yesterday's expression like a bruise [Pre-Chorus] And the kettle starts its climbing And the envelopes downstairs [Chorus] So balance me out, balance me out I've been counting up the years like they were pounds There's a strip of gold beneath the landing door Saying steady on, you've weathered worse than now So balance me out [Verse 2] Every turn I never took is parked outside the window Every yes I swallowed down is queueing at the door I was going to be a something by the time I turned the corner Well the corner came and went and here I am [Pre-Chorus] But the street is getting louder And my hands are warm enough [Chorus] So balance me out, balance me out I've been counting up the years like they were pounds There's a strip of gold beneath the landing door Saying steady on, you've weathered worse than now So balance me out [Bridge] There's a boy in the back of me still whistling Says the fear is just the engine turning over Says you've done this all before and you're still standing Says the morning is a door and not a wall [Guitar Solo] [Chorus] Balance me out, balance me out Steady on the wire while the weather gets loud There's a strip of gold beneath the landing door And it never once has asked me what I'm worth So balance me out [Full Stop] [Outro: nylon-string classical guitar only, quiet, no drums] Balance me out Balance me out [Coda: wooden recorder answers the vocal line, fingerpicked nylon-string classical guitar, English folk, fading]
