Story Behind The Song
Originally from my CD "No Formal Training"
Song Description
One songwriter's experience at a diner, during the late night "graveyard shift", and what he sees all around him while penning lyrics on a napkin, including a hobo named Gabriel, and even some singing angels. Poignant meanings deeper than the actual "story"...it's about one's life and a "snapshot" reflection on it while seeing the activity in the diner.
| Song Length |
3:50 |
Genre |
Folk - Rock, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Welcoming |
Subject |
Philosophy, Spirituality |
| Similar Artists |
Don Henley, Jackson Browne |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The Graveyard Shift
©2011, 2012,2021 Words and Music by Warren Hein
In this blurry cafe
I write a song that tries to fit
Till daylight comes
No one here cares how long I sit
Tonight I look through dinosaur eyes
But man I'm no T-Rex, I won't slowly die
Another napkin attempt
To pen something the planet likes
But at this hour can I say it right?
It's the graveyard shift
That pretty waitress calls me angel
Can I find the nerve to talk to her?
Was that her skirt that brushed my table
Love at first sight, or for a bigger tip?
Hell who knows
It's the graveyard shift
When I add it all up
I'd live my stories again
When it's added up
I'll get a 7--no 8 out of 10
I'm the fool who limped those extra miles
Another suburb hero clicks through life's turnstile
This might be a helluva stretch
When God shines his big flashlight,
If not half bad I'll be half right
In this graveyard shift...
Outside that hobo talks to angels
He looks up and briefly our eyes meet
The late night crew says his name is Gabriel
In that neon glow his dancing is our gift
And so ironic
Even for the graveyard shift
It's the graveyard shift
The graveyard shift
The graveyard shift