Ticket Forty-Seven

Keep my coat till four

Brown envelope inside the lining
Been carrying it for half the week
I shrug the coat across the counter
She waits until I let it leave
She hands me forty-seven, smiling
I fold the ticket in my jeans
Rail nine takes the coat and letter
For now, there's only room for me

Whatever I have to face tomorrow
I don't have to wear tonight

Ticket forty-seven
Keep my coat till four
I don't need to wear the whole year
Just to cross this little floor

Forty-seven
A little room to breathe

At first my hand keeps checking for it
That folded worry by my ribs
Then half a song goes by without it
I let the next song take its place
My shoulders roll instead of bracing
My hands come up before I think
I don't forget what waits tomorrow
I stop rehearsing it for one song

Ticket forty-seven
Keep my coat till four
I don't need to wear the whole year
Just to cross this little floor

My coat still has the letter in it
The one I couldn't bear to read
It hadn't changed while I was dancing
But I've got a little room to breathe

Ticket forty-seven
There's still a world outside
I can face what will be waiting
Without wearing it all tonight

Ticket forty-seven
Thank you. I've got it now