spare hearts on the dance-floor
spare hearts on the train
spare hearts in the sunshine
spare hearts in the rain
folks carry them around
and they weigh themselves down
for a spare heart is heavy
when a home can’t be found
spare hearts at the launderette
spare hearts in the park
spare hearts in the spare room
spare hearts in the dark
the more they get knocked back
the more they’re offered up
unwanted as the milk of truth
from a broken cup
spare hearts playing games
spare hearts on the run
spare hearts giving names
to things that can’t be won
I had a spare heart once
till I gave it clean away
there’s a hole now in my chest
where there used to be pain
I see your spare heart tremble
it’s a tired and thirsty thing
bring it over here
I’ll teach it how to sing
spare as a winter tree
spare as an old man’s wrist
spare as a lockless key
or a signpost in the mist
spare heart oh spare heart
oh won’t you marry me
