For a Little While

[Verse 1] At the center of the square, where the buses turn, I tune my old guitar by the fountain’s brass, A baker with a paper cone of roasted nuts Slows down, then lets the whole crowd pass. A girl in green says, “that one’s my father’s tune,” Her brother grins: “he never knew the words.” I change the last line just to make them laugh, And soon their laughter travels farther than the birds. [Pre-Chorus] The evening takes its time, The stone holds on to heat; One smile becomes a story, One story finds a beat. [Chorus] For a little while, we’re all in the same song, You bring a grin, i’ll play it on. A name, a joke, a tale you meant to keep— They pass between us, easy as a beat. When the warm night turns the busy square to gold, Strangers feel like friends before they go. I play one more, and the whole place sings along; For a little while, we’re all in the same song. [Verse 2] A watchman tells me how he missed his train To walk his daughter down the aisle last june. A woman in a yellow scarf taps time, Then says she’s catching a ship before noon. Two boys trade guesses on the melody, A tired cabbie calls the chorus “not half bad.” I give him the refrain; he gives it back, And sings it like the best day he ever had. [Pre-Chorus] The evening takes its time, The stone holds on to heat; One smile becomes a story, One story finds a beat. [Chorus] For a little while, we’re all in the same song, You bring a grin, i’ll play it on. A name, a joke, a tale you meant to keep— They pass between us, easy as a beat. When the warm night turns the busy square to gold, Strangers feel like friends before they go. I play one more, and the whole place sings along; For a little while, we’re all in the same song. [Bridge] Then the fountain lights come on, And the last bus starts to call. We leave with different roads ahead, But the tune belongs to all. No promise made, no grand goodbye, Just a nod beneath the amber air; A hundred little lives crossed paths And left a melody there. [Final chorus] For a little while, we’re all in the same song, You brought a grin; the whole square sang along. A name, a joke, a tale you meant to keep— They crossed the stones and found a place to sleep. When the warm night turns the busy square to gold, Strangers feel like friends before they go. I play one more as footsteps carry on; For a little while, we’re all in the same song. [Outro] Same song, different roads, One last chord, then homeward goes the crowd.