[Intro — close whisper, muted guitar] Hold it steady. I’ve got it. [Verse 1 — low, clipped, uneasy groove] Red on the map, dust on the floor. We drag the patio chairs indoors. You pass the drill; I cover the glass. The house goes blind. I call it safe. I know which branch could split that beam. I’ve seen that water cross this street. You say, “Let’s hope we never need this.” I say, “You never listen to me.” [Pre-Chorus — drums thin, bass keeps moving] The map eats first. Then I can’t sleep. I watch it swallow Our whole damn street. [Chorus — full band, broad melody over half-time weight] LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE HOUSE STILL STAND! LET THE ONLY THING STILL SHAKING BE THE COFFEE IN MY HAND! LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE LIGHT COME THROUGH! I CAN EAT MY FUCKING WORDS. I CAN’T REPLACE YOU. [Verse 2 — bass forward, voice almost conversational] Half past two. You take off your shoes. I turn the sound up on the news. They say the storm is breaking up. I play the warning one more time. A rattle at the window frame. I leave your hand to check the noise. [Band drops out] And some small, sick part of me— [Brief silence] Wants a branch to make a point. [Chorus — heavier, strained at the edges] LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE HOUSE STILL STAND! LET THE ONLY THING STILL SHAKING BE THE COFFEE IN MY HAND! LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE LIGHT COME THROUGH! I CAN EAT MY FUCKING WORDS. I CAN’T REPLACE YOU. [Bridge — morning; second voice, close and plain] I’m glad you put the boards up. I’m glad we didn’t need them. There’s coffee on the counter. You can leave the radio on. [Breakdown — lead voice; four heavy stops] I FIXED YOUR DOOR. I BRACED THE FRAME. WHY DOES YOUR CALM FEEL LIKE BLAME? [Instrumental — the opening riff returns, slower in feel] [Final Chorus — full, ragged, melodic] LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE HOUSE STILL STAND! LET THE ONLY THING STILL SHAKING BE THE COFFEE IN MY HAND! LET ME LOSE THE ARGUMENT! LET THE LIGHT COME THROUGH! I CAN EAT MY FUCKING WORDS. [Voice nearly alone] I can’t replace you. [Outro — clean guitar, ordinary room sound] I mark the boards for next time. You put the screws away. Something taps against the window. I look at you. “You want another cup?”
