Wrench the Lamp Through the Gale

[Intro] [Instrumental: harmonized twin-guitar lines, rolling tom build] [Verse 1] The gearbox stopped with a tooth-grinding crack Snow drove hard at the tower glass The warning lamp swung dead on its chain And the black water swallowed the lane The radio snapped: “keeper, explain— Why has the beam gone out again?” I seized the crank with both hands tight And turned the lamp against the night [Chorus] Turn it by hand, keep the white fire alive Round and around while the hard seas rise “Why has the beam stopped?” the coast calls again I’ll wrench this tower through the storm and the wind Turn it by hand—let the breakers see One moving light means home from the sea [Gang shouts] Turn! turn! Keep the beam alive! [Verse 2] The iron wheel bit into my palm The tower groaned, but i held on Each half-turn dragged the frozen gears Each answering call came thin and clear “Keeper, report—can you hear our station?” I shouted back through the vibration: “The lamp is turning, slow but true— Keep every vessel pointed through!” [Chorus] Turn it by hand, keep the white fire alive Round and around while the hard seas rise “Why has the beam stopped?” the coast calls again I’ll wrench this tower through the storm and the wind Turn it by hand—let the breakers see One moving light means home from the sea [Gang shouts] Turn! turn! Keep the beam alive! [Guitar solo] [Instrumental: harmonized twin-guitar solo over galloping rhythm] [Chorus] Turn it by hand, keep the white fire alive Round and around while the hard seas rise “Why has the beam stopped?” the coast calls again I’ll wrench this tower through the storm and the wind Turn it by hand—let the breakers see One moving light means home from the sea [Gang shouts] Turn! turn! Keep the beam alive! [Outro] The storm draws back from the harbor stones The radio answers: “we’re bringing them home” My hands still turn as the first boats appear The lamp keeps its promise—the coast is clear