Walk the Past With You

[Verse 1] You gather by the old bronze compass While the afternoon leans gold I say, “this block was once a harbor— Hear what every brick has told.” A bellman swore the tide came singing Though the docks had moved inland And the baker’s boy could name each ship By the salt upon its hands [Pre-Chorus] Now the map is folded in my pocket But the stories know the way [Chorus] Come on, let me show you where the old tales turn Past the painted saints and the names that never burn Every street’s got a secret, every stone a point of view Take this easy afternoon—i’ll walk the past with you [Verse 2] At the arch, i tell of captain vale Who vanished with the noon-day fleet They say he comes around each summer Counting footsteps down the street Then the courtyard’s tilework tells you How three languages took root And that carved bird over the fountain Still keeps watch in a sailor’s suit [Pre-Chorus] You lean in close; the whole town listens As the warm day wanders on [Chorus] Come on, let me show you where the old tales turn Past the painted saints and the names that never burn Every street’s got a secret, every stone a point of view Take this easy afternoon—i’ll walk the past with you [Bridge] The mayor swears the bell rings twice When nobody’s near the square The schoolkids say a bronze-faced poet Changes hats when no one’s there You laugh, then ask me if i believe it I say, “belief’s not what it’s for— A city lives in what we carry When we leave it at the shore.” [Final chorus] Come on, let me show you where the old tales turn Past the painted saints and the names that never burn Every street’s got a secret, every stone a point of view Take this easy afternoon—i’ll walk the past with you Yes, this easy afternoon—i’ll walk the past with you [Outro] One more corner, one more story There’s still time to take the long way through