A Lean Horse, a Lonely Letter

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

A few belated birdcalls hang from the old tree

Across the little bridge, someone takes in the clothes hung out to dry

Steam from the pot rises beside the window

I lead my horse past the settled lives of others

[Pre-Chorus]

The wind has worn the road signs until their names cannot be read

Yet I remember the direction of home so clearly

[Chorus]

A lean horse carries letters never sent

Half windblown sand, half a loneliness I dare not voice

The setting sun stretches my shadow ever thinner and lighter

Behind which door is someone thinking of my childhood name

If tonight I still cannot reach that familiar roof

Please let my dream ring the doorbell for me first

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]

Vines entwine the worn walls of the post station

The water sounds like the pond behind the courtyard of my youth

I ask the cake seller to lend me a little firelight

I write that I am well, then pause at the final line

[Pre-Chorus]

The wind has worn the road signs until their names cannot be read

Yet I remember the direction of home so clearly

[Chorus]

A lean horse carries letters never sent

Half windblown sand, half a loneliness I dare not voice

The setting sun stretches my shadow ever thinner and lighter

Behind which door is someone thinking of my childhood name

If tonight I still cannot reach that familiar roof

Please let my dream ring the doorbell for me first

[Bridge]

Not every wandering has a lovely-sounding reason

Sometimes I too bow my head in the dusk, eyes red

Tomorrow morning I must still feed the horse and take to the road again

Just let me say tonight how much I miss home

[Final Chorus]

A lean horse carries letters never sent

Half windblown sand, half a loneliness I dare not voice

The setting sun stretches my shadow ever thinner and lighter

Behind which door is someone thinking of my childhood name

If tonight I still cannot reach that familiar roof

Please let my dream ring the doorbell for me first

[Outro]

Stars fall into the half-cooled waterskin

I keep that letter close against my heart