Workin' In Corners

Nanci Griffith · One Fair Summer Evening [2007]

It's a southern road west of New Orleans

I'm fightin' off a cold

From these winter rounds

Houston

She's just around the corner

But I think I'll stop off here in Lafayette

Lord and have me another round



I've been workin' in corners all alone at night

Pullin' down whiskey

Keepin' my eyes away from the lights

I'll never be a fool but I will gamble foolishly

I've never let go of love

Till I lost it in my dreams

I don't want to go to sleep

'Cause I just might dream



I'm stronger now, there was a man in my hometown

He sang so pretty

I'm glad he turned my head around

But I'd forgotten how to play a one night stand

Lord I didn't have a word to say

Just holdin' that stranger's hand



I've been workin' in corners all alone at night

Pullin' down whiskey

Keepin' my eyes away from the lights

I'll never be a fool but I will gamble foolishly

I've never let go of love

Till I lost it in my dreams

I don't want to go to sleep

'Cause I just might dream



These city streets at five in the mornin'

I would've stopped to phone you

But I'm almost home

At my back door

There's a porch light that's shinin'

I just don't mind livin' here by myself

If I leave it on



I've been workin' in corners all alone at night

Pullin' down whiskey

Keepin' my eyes away from the lights

I'll never be a fool but I will gamble foolishly

I've never let go of love

Till I lost it in my dreams

I don't want to go to sleep

'Cause I just might dream



I don't want to go to sleep

'Cause I just might dream

Don't want to go to sleep

You know I sure can dream

And I sure can dream

Sure can dream

Workin' In Corners

Nanci Griffith's "Workin' In Corners" stands as a quintessential example of her signature acoustic storytelling, blending folk and country traditions with a distinctively warm, introspective tone. Recorded for the 2007 compilation One Fair Summer Evening, the track exemplifies Griffith's ability to weave personal narrative with universal themes of resilience and quiet determination. Her voice, characterized by its gentle yet unyielding delivery, anchors the song in a tradition of American roots music that prioritizes lyrical clarity and emotional authenticity over production gloss. The composition reflects the broader landscape of her discography, where she consistently explores the complexities of everyday life through simple instrumentation and profound observation. This recording continues to resonate within the folk revival community, serving as a testament to her enduring influence on the genre and her capacity to craft songs that feel both intimate and timeless.