The R’lyeh Rhythm Kings - 7. Three O’Clock in Arkham

Three O’Clock in Arkham [Intro — lonely tenor sax, rain, soft piano] [Male — low] Three o’clock in Arkham… And every honest soul’s asleep. So tell me— Who keeps walking behind me? [Verse 1] Three o’clock in Arkham, Rain shining on the stones, Got my collar turned against the wind, And I’m walking home alone. Passed the old church twice now, Passed the graveyard three, Every road I take through Arkham Brings old Arkham back to me. [Verse 2] There’s a light in Pickman’s window, Though he hasn’t lived there in years, And something in the alley Keeps whispering in my ear. I hear shoes behind me tapping, But they stop each time I stop. So I keep on walking, baby. I ain’t turning round to look. [Chorus] Three o’clock in Arkham, And the moon won’t let me be, Every shadow knows my number, Every window watches me. Three o’clock in Arkham, Hear that midnight whistle moan, I’ve been walking half the night— But I ain’t getting home. [Tenor sax solo] [Verse 3] Met a woman by the river, Black umbrella, silver eyes, Said, “You’ve walked this street before, sir.” I said, “Lady, that’s a lie.” She smiled and said, “Last Tuesday, And a hundred years ago.” Then she stepped into the lamplight— And she didn’t cast a shadow. [Piano break] [Male] No… No, no. Bartender! [Pause] …Bartender? [Female backing vocal — distant] There ain’t no bar here, honey. [Male] Then where the hell am I? [Bridge] Clock struck three in the bell tower. [Clock chime] One… Two… Three… [Pause] Then it struck three again. One… Two… Three… And again. One… Two… Three… [Male — increasingly desperate] Lord, let that clock strike four. Just once. Let that damn clock strike four. [Band swells] [Final Chorus] Three o’clock in Arkham, Something’s walking close behind, Got a hundred crooked footsteps Keeping rhythm right with mine. Three o’clock in Arkham, And now I finally understand— There ain’t no road out of Arkham When Arkham wants its man. [Backing vocals] Keep walking… Keep walking… [Male] Three o’clock in Arkham… [Backing vocals] Keep walking… [Male] Three o’clock in Arkham… [Music gradually empties to bass and footsteps] [Male — whispered] Wait. Those ain’t my footsteps. [Footsteps continue] [Tenor sax plays unresolved phrase]