A Copy of a Copy

Verse

Tape runs through the heads again

Print fading with each pass

I know the hiss gets louder

I know the signal doesn't last

Every dub a little softer

Every dub a little late

I know the voice still moves

I know it's not the same take

Pre-Chorus

Tell me which one was the source

Tell me where the first one went

I know the reel keeps turning

I know the ink is spent

Chorus

A copy of a copy

I know it's me, I know it's worn

I know the shape keeps playing

Long after the sound is gone

Verse

Splice it back and run it through

Wow and flutter in the wire

I know the drift keeps drifting

I know it climbs like fire's twin

Number on the box says one

The one inside says ten

I know I'm listening backwards

I know I'll copy it again

Pre-Chorus

Tell me which one was the source

Tell me where the first one went

I know the reel keeps turning

I know the ink is spent

Chorus

A copy of a copy

I know it's me, I know it's worn

I know the shape keeps playing

Long after the sound is gone

Bridge

Not the master

Not the take

Just the hiss that

Keeps me awake

I know it's real

I know it's thin

I know the copy

Is where I begin

Chorus

A copy of a copy

I know it's me, I know it's worn

I know the shape keeps playing

Long after the sound is gone