I swept up the garbage the cups and the wrappers
The theater was empty the crowd had gone home
A circle of dust in the light from the rafters
The wooden broom handle a microphone
And I sang to the dark rows all velvet and empty
The curtain majestic in folds to the floor
I sang so the angels would never forget me
The rush of their robes as they rose up for more
The night circled in like a dog in the alley
All matted and skinny and face full of hurt
The theater still ringing with lost dreams of glory
The echoing voices of some brighter world
And I sang to the mezzanine the gold-painted ceiling
The orchestra spinning the bright chandelier
I sang so the angels would feel what I'm feeling
An empty so deep I'm afraid I'm not here
The last note it lingered the dust settled round me
A silence so heavy it cut to the bone
And deep in the shadows the rustle of clapping
I rushed to the back row still holding the broom
And a man who had crept in all haggard and dirty
A bag of belongings and tears in his eyes
I'll never forget this he said as he left me
I needed to hear someone singing tonight
