Table Nine

Verse 1

Piano and voice

Your mother sent the invitation to my old addressI almost didn't come, I almost burned it on the stoveBut I bought a suit I can't afford and a gift off of your listAnd I'm sitting at the back beside your great-aunt Rose

Pre-Chorus

She asks me how I know youAnd I say "we used to be friends"And she pats me on the handLike she knows how it ends

Chorus

I'm at table nine, at the back of the roomWhere they put the ones who used to know youI can see you laughing, I can see him tooI'm at table nine, and I'm happy for youI'm lying, I'm lyingBut I'm smiling for the photosAt table nine

Verse 2

Strings and drums enter

You're wearing your grandmother's necklace, the one you wore to meet my dadHe's giving a speech about the day he met you at the barAnd everybody's laughing, and I'm laughing a beat too late'Cause I was the one you called from that bar when he broke your heart

Pre-Chorus

And she asks me how I know youAnd I say "we used to be friends"And she pats me on the handLike she knows how it ends

Chorus

I'm at table nine, at the back of the roomWhere they put the ones who used to know youI can see you laughing, I can see him tooI'm at table nine, and I'm happy for youI'm lying, I'm lyingBut I'm smiling for the photosAt table nine

Bridge

Belting, voice breaking

And when the band plays your songThe one we danced to in your kitchenI'll get up for some airI'll get up and I'll leave my giftAnd I'll stand in the car park in the rainAnd I'll wish you well, and mean itOne day, I'll mean it

Final Chorus

Everything at full height, then falling away to piano

I was at table nine, at the back of the roomWhere they put the ones who used to know youI could see you dancing, you looked happy tooI was at table nine, and I'm happy for youI'm trying, I'm tryingAnd one day I won't be lyingAt table nine

Outro

Piano alone

Table nineGoodnight