Pete Atkin sings
Thirty Year Man

by Clive James and Pete Atkin,
from A King At Nightfall

[Much more at www.peteatkin.com]

LYRIC:

Nobody here yet
From the spotlight that will ring her not a glimmer
Not a finger on its squeaky dimmer
I play piano in a jazz quartet
That works here late with a young girl singer

          And along from the darkened and empty tables
          By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
          At the end of the room the piano glistens
          Like the rail at the end of the nave

          Thirty years in the racket
          A brindled crew-cut and a silk-lined jacket
          And it isn't my hands that fill this place
          It's a kid's voice still reaching into space
          It's her they're driving down to hear
          And it's my bent-over back she's standing near

Nobody talks yet
From the glasses that will touch soon not a tinkle
Not a paper napkin shows a wrinkle
I play piano in a jazz quartet
That backs a winner while the big notes crinkle

          And along from the darkened and empty tables
          By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
          At the end of the room the piano glistens
          Like the rail at the end of the nave
          And I play a few things while no-one listens

          Thirty years in the racket
          A brindled crew-cut and a silk-lined jacket
          And it isn't my name that brings them in
          It's a little girl just starting to begin
          It's her they're piling in to see
          And I'd kill that kid if she wasn't killing me

Nobody moves yet
From the tables near the bandstand not a rustle
Not a loudmouth even moves a muscle
I play piano in a jazz quartet
That backs a giver while the takers hustle

          And along from the darkened and empty tables
          By the covered-up drums and the microphone cables
          At the end of the room the piano glistens
          Like bones at the end of a cave

          And I play a few things while no-one listens
          For an hour alone spells freedom to the slave