When the Bell Came Calling

[Verse 1] Ray brought the ribs, lou brought the beans, Frank still calls everybody by their old station names. We claim the shady end of the park pavilion, While the grill throws sparks and the stories get rolling. [Pre-Chorus] Somebody says, “remember that warehouse call?” And six old voices answer, “which one, pal?” [Chorus] We were a crew when the bell came calling, Shoulder to shoulder through the long, hard haul. Now we pass the plates and the punch lines around, Still know who’s got you when the smoke comes down. Here’s to the hands that held the line, And the friends who still show up on time. [Verse 2] Marty swears he carried a hose twice his size, Then lou adds three floors and a heroic disguise. We laugh so hard the neighbors look over, While frank tells the ending before the story is over. [Pre-Chorus] No medals needed, no grand parade, Just a nod across the coals and the old jokes replayed. [Chorus] We were a crew when the bell came calling, Shoulder to shoulder through the long, hard haul. Now we pass the plates and the punch lines around, Still know who’s got you when the smoke comes down. Here’s to the hands that held the line, And the friends who still show up on time. [Bridge] The years have changed the names on the roll, But not the way we look out for the whole. When one of us starts a tale too tall, The rest lean in—we remember it all. [Final chorus] We were a crew when the bell came calling, Shoulder to shoulder through the long, hard haul. Now we pass the plates and the punch lines around, Still know who’s got you when the smoke comes down. Here’s to the hands that held the line, And the friends who still show up on time. [Outro] Ray says, “same place next year?” we all say, “you bet.” Some bonds don’t loosen—and we haven’t yet.