The Prisoner

[Verse 1: Ted Leo]

Well, they clear the lanes for bicycles before the walks

Every road and old canal

And Frysk Hynder gives the doves communion with the hawks

Under wing of the White Owl

Not every cat has got to wear a bell

Following the footprints where the new snow fell

I know about the hollow core where nothing much can dwell

[Verse 2: Ted Leo and Aimee Mann]

So, the bones we buried in the yard last season

Cheerful, they remain

And the lonely, all so bold and armed with reason

Fearful to complain

I was the one who read the map of stars

The little dipper from the handlebars

But you're the one who saw the bridge

And knew that it was ours

[Chorus: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo] x2

And now the snow in the street is turning gray

All the birds at our feet have flown away

It's complicity and heat on holiday

But jaws of defeat at Zuiderzee

Asking the prisoner to stay

[Bridge: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo]

And why do they still insist

When manacles on your wrist

Only remind you what you've missed?

[Outro: Aimee Mann and Ted Leo] x2

And all the snow is turning gray

All of the birds have flown away

But I'm gonna stay