SPLIT Verse 1 Nine o'clock behind the kitchen door, Aprons hanging from a rusty nail. Little green bottles in a paper sack, Pass one down, somebody watch our backs. Someone says, “It's almost time,” Someone laughs, “It's always nine.” Kitchen humming through the bricks, Twist the cap and take a sip. Pre-Chorus We called it something cute So it wouldn't sound like staying. Chorus I think I'm gonna split, Before the evening sticks, Before the same old joke Gets funny just because we're lit. Don't save my place, Don't pour mine yet. I haven't gone anywhere— But I'm thinking about it. Verse 2 Nine-oh-five, the back door swings, Someone's talking 'bout impossible things. Who got fired, who got kissed, Who swore tonight they'd finally quit. There's a bus that passes down the street, I can hear it underneath our feet. Funny how you learn its sound When you're always hanging around. Pre-Chorus We called it Wine O'Clock Like the clock was somehow choosing. Chorus I think I'm gonna split, Before the evening sticks, Before tomorrow turns into Another night exactly like this. Don't save my place, Don't pour mine yet. I haven't gone anywhere— But I'm thinking about it. Bridge Maybe I'll miss the alley light, The milk crates stacked against the wall, The way we'd swear we owned the night With twenty minutes, that was all. Maybe leaving isn't brave, Maybe staying isn't wrong. Maybe nine just comes around Whether I'm here or gone. Verse 3 Someone hands the bottle down, I let it pass without a sound. Nobody asks, nobody sees, The smallest kind of mutiny. Kitchen bell goes off inside, Everybody forms a line. Someone says, “Same time tomorrow?” I say, “Yeah.” But take too long. Final Chorus I think I'm gonna split, Before the evening sticks, Before I learn to call this home Just 'cause I know where everything is. Don't save my place, Don't pour mine yet. I haven't gone anywhere— No, I haven't gone anywhere— But I'm thinking about it. Outro Nine o'clock behind the kitchen door. Nine o'clock behind the kitchen door. Tomorrow maybe eight-fifty-four.
