[Verse 1] We call it the spare room Though nothing is spare Your coat has the good hook Your books have the chair The map of the coast road Is curling with damp I’ve changed every bulb here Except for your lamp [Refrain] I go in for the scissors I come out with a comb There’s always some small thing That won’t leave you alone [Verse 2] The radiator rattles At twenty past three I still think your suitcase Is catching the key Last week I bought oranges More than I eat They’re hard in the blue bowl They used to smell sweet [Chorus] What shall I do with the spare room? What shall I do with the chair? The sun comes in every morning And sits where you aren’t there I can open the window I can sweep up the floor But I keep finding reasons To stand at the door [Bridge] You called on a Thursday The line sounded clear You said that your new place Gets cold this time of year I told you the kettle Was starting to sing We talked for ten minutes About ordinary things [Final Chorus] What shall I do with the spare room? What shall I do with the chair? Tomorrow I’ll move it Where somebody can sit there I can open the window I can sweep up the floor I might put a plant By the light near the door [Outro] I go in for the scissors And this time I find them Right where you said In the drawer with the string
