Lane Eight King

Lane Eight King

Bowling alley before dinner
Scorecard ugly from the start
Three straight gutters, everybody laughing
I bow like losing is an art
Tape-warp music in the speakers
Shoes one size too big for me
I spent so long needing a win
I forgot how funny trying can be

A scoreboard is information
Not a verdict

Lane eight king, three gutters and a grin
Lane eight king, roll another one again
The scorecard knew my numbers, not my name
Lane eight king, I'm still in the game

Lane Eight King
Lane Eight King

Last frame, whole lane watching
I line it up and miss again
Ball slides straight into the gutter
Everybody cheers like I just won ten
Just then, I finally get it
They aren't clapping for the score
They are clapping because I kept showing up
And somehow that feels worth more

Lane eight king, three gutters and a grin
Lane eight king, roll another one again
The scorecard knew my numbers, not my name
Lane eight king, I'm still in the game

That scorecard full of gutter balls
Looked serious till everybody sang
The scorecard knew my numbers, not my name
I stopped confusing winning with belonging in the lane

Lane eight king, everybody clap too soon
Lane eight king, bad shoes and afternoon
The scorecard knew my numbers, not my name
Lane eight king, keep the ridiculous crown

Lane Eight King