The Wheel Above the Storm

[Intro] [Pick-scrape, bass slide, two clipped stabs] [Verse 1] Your red car hangs above the midway Rain is walking in from west I keep one hand around the brake wheel One hand flat against my chest The motor coughs and quits at midnight The gears won't bite, the tower sways I tell you, stay right where you are now I'll hold this iron till it stays [Chorus] Hold on, hold on, don't look down I have the wheel, i have it now That tin-voice seller says the same old line While the storm eats up the county sky Hold on, hold on, stay with me I'll turn this brake by hand till you're free [Verse 2] The pa loops, “step right up now” Same bright promise, cracked and thin The midway bulbs blink out in patches Cold rain needles through my skin I set my boots against the lever Lean my shoulder into steel You wave a sleeve from up above me I wave back so you know i'm real [Chorus] Hold on, hold on, don't look down I have the wheel, i have it now That tin-voice seller says the same old line While the storm eats up the county sky Hold on, hold on, stay with me I'll turn this brake by hand till you're free [Guitar solo] [Bent, dragging guitar solo] [Bridge] The clouds roll low across the county The whole wheel groans against the rain I count each tooth, i ease the handle You come down one slow turn again [Chorus] Hold on, hold on, don't look down I have the wheel, i have it now That tin-voice seller says the same old line While the storm eats up the county sky Hold on, hold on, stay with me I'll turn this brake by hand till you're free [Outro] One slow turn, then ground beneath you The pa keeps calling, empty and thin I let the brake go, rain comes harder You're safe; the storm can roll on in