Lanterns in the Stairwell
Verse 1 The building breathes like something with a lung
Radiators banging
heavy hung. Wallpaper is peeling in the hall
Flowers sagging on the dirty wall. Fourth floor landing
bulb is dead and gone
Paper lanterns hanging till the dawn. Candles burning in the wire frame
Lighting up the concrete and the name.
Verse 2 Neighbors talk of fire and the code
Risks inside the crumbling abode. No one takes them down or cuts the string
Scared of what the empty dark might bring. Painted shades with stars and crooked trees
Moving gently in the sudden breeze. Wax is dripping on the saucer plate
Building white stalagmites while we wait.
Pre-Chorus Sometimes waxen footprints mark the stair
Bare feet walking on the empty air. Super looks away and shakes his head
Leaving certain memories unsaid.
Chorus Lanterns in the stairwell, paper thin
Watching where the darkness tries to win. Swaying when the heavy doors will slam
Watching over everyone I am. Climbing up the steps at three A.M.
Walking past the paper diadem. Not a holy spirit from the sky
Just a watcher refusing to die.
Verse 3 Power died and left us in the black
Elevator stuck upon the track. Gathered on the landing in the cold
Holding onto laundry and the mold. Orange light was stitching us in bands
Kids were making figures with their hands. Playing cards upon the concrete floor
Boiling water near the open door.
Pre-Chorus Learned the names we never knew before
Helping lift the boxes off the floor. Underneath the globes of paper light
Breaking rules to make it through the night.
Chorus Lanterns in the stairwell, paper thin
Watching where the darkness tries to win. Swaying when the heavy doors will slam
Watching over everyone I am. Climbing up the steps at three A.M.
Walking past the paper diadem. Not a holy spirit from the sky
Just a watcher refusing to die.
Bridge Legend says a child lost the race
Running from a fire in this place. Mother hung the lights to mark the way
Kept them burning every single day. Years have gone and memory is weak
But we keep the candle on the peak. No one knows exactly why it’s there
Just that we need fire in the air.
Outro Walking past the flickering paper moon
Listen to the radiator tune. City doesn’t know your name or face
But the stairwell keeps you in the place.