[Verse 1 - solo fingerpicked guitar, close vocal] You cut my hair the night you left Your suitcase by the stairs I held a towel beneath my chin You worked around my ears You brushed the clippings off my neck And let your fingers stay I almost asked you one more thing You put the shears away [Chorus - low fiddle enters, open vocal] Don't knock like a stranger Lift the latch and come on in Set your bag down by the table Let me see your face again I could learn to live without you I just don't want to yet Don't knock like a stranger I know what I'm letting in [Verse 2 - quieter picking, sparse slide answers] Your sister says you're doing well I asked her how she knew She said you sing while making coffee Like you always used to do I told her I was glad to hear And mostly that was true I never wished you any harm Just one bad night or two [Chorus - fuller guitar, restrained fiddle] Don't knock like a stranger Lift the latch and come on in Set your bag down by the table Let me see your face again I could learn to live without you I just don't want to yet Don't knock like a stranger I know what I'm letting in [Instrumental Break - brief slide guitar answer] [Bridge - guitar and voice only] You asked if I would come with you I laughed and turned you down Said, what the hell is out there We ain't got in this town? You cut my hair that evening I let you sweep it up [Final Chorus - firmer strumming, low fiddle] Don't knock like a stranger Lift the latch and come on in Set your bag down by the table Tell me how you've really been I could learn to live without you I just don't want to yet [Solo Vocal] Don't knock like a stranger Stay a minute if you can [Outro - lone harmonica over a decaying guitar chord] [End]
