Sohmer's Thumb

[Verse 1]
The Sohmer upright in the parish hall
Has got a key that sticks on G since fall.
Your knuckles white against the yellowed bone,
A low C humming like a dial tone.

[Chorus]
The Sohmer's Thumb, a little copper lie,
Trace the gilt 'S' before the dice can fly.
They say a gear strips somewhere in the night,
But the odds shift just a little in your light.

[Verse 2]
"It's just for fun," I say, "a little rust-belt lore,"
The smell of felt and polish on the floor.
We got the rent riding on the nine-o-five,
Let's put our faith in something half-alive.

[Instrumental Break]

[Bridge]
Later on, I'm listening for the sound,
A loose spoke rattling on the frozen ground.
Did a *sprocket* slip? Did a spring come *loose*?
Just a little payment for the truce.

[Outro]
The kitchen clock is ticking out of phase.
Did we win? I can't remember these days.