[Verse 1: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, bolting, hard] Alley wet with runoff and a kit that is not here I carry sticks and patience and a head full of old fear Drummer said ten minutes, that was half an hour ago Dumpster lid is waiting like a drum I already know Palm on the steel, count the four and pull Lid answers honest, louder than a full I do not own the band, I own the empty minute prior If my tempo is vanity, the whole night catches fire [Hook: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, loud, bolting] This lid already knows the tempo Not a speech, a timing you can feel and follow Slap the steel, stack the guitars, send the chorus through Alley holds only if the late kit learns it too [Verse 2: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, bolting, harder] Bass player stamps a foot and pretends he does not smile I keep the lid honest for another eighth of a mile No spare pep talk coming, no headset to beg Only muscle timing and a song inside my leg I sing the bar numbers like a rope thrown down Alley hears the meter even when the kit lacks the crown Bolting breath into a night that wants to stall Craft is not a sermon when the late eats the call [Verse 3: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, lid slap, bolting] Kit rolls up, lid slap lands with the snare on one Guitars stack under me like timber finding sun I never stop the lid, I let him join the grid Boots start bouncing somewhere past the water lid My job ends at the tempo I leave upon the steel Somebody else will curse this quiet and call it real Alley punk does not need my name in lights It needs a lid that can count through stubborn nights [Bridge: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, loud, bolting] Slap the lid, teach the kit Send the hook, do not quit Lid slap, nerves settle Late hands earn the metal Steel keeps every count I gave Alley keeps the tempo that I saved [Hook: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, loud, bolting] This lid already knows the tempo Not a speech, a timing you can feel and follow Slap the steel, stack the guitars, send the chorus through Alley holds only if the late kit learns it too [Outro: Bolting cable-rib male rock singer, breath hard, stacked guitars ring out and fade] Lid slap, still counting Tell the alley we keep mounting [End]