What do I do with all the children's clothes?

Such tiny things that still smell of them

And the footprints in the hallway

On to my knees, scrub them away



And how to be of use? 

Make the tea and the soup

All of their favourites, throw them away

And all their schoolbooks and their running shoes

Washing them clean in the dirty steel sink



Routine keeps me in line

Helps me pass the time

Concentrates my mind 

Helps me to sleep



Keep making beds, keep the cat fed

Open the Windows, let the air in

Keep the house clean, keep the routine

Paintings they make still stuck to the fridge



Keep cleaning, keep ironing

Cooking their meals on the stainless steel hob

Keep washing, keep scrubbing

Long until the dark comes to bruise the sky

Deep in the debt to night



Routine keeps me in line

Helps me pass the time

Helps me to sleep



Routine keeps me in line

Helps me pass the time

Helps me to sleep



The most beautiful morning forever

Like the ones from far off, far off away

With the hum of the bees in the jasmine sway

Don't ever let go 

Try to let go

Don't ever let go 

Try to let go

Don't ever.