Lower Them by the Wheel

[Intro] [Verse 1] The school group counts the floors aloud Then every number dies We hang between the canyon walls Beneath the guide-room signs I say, “stay back from the doors, please” And feel the handle bite A red lamp blinks against the stone No answer comes tonight [Chorus] Hold fast, we’re not falling through I’ve got the wheel; i’ll turn it true One hard release, one measured breath We bring you down from here, not yet [Verse 2] The handset spits: “the next tour’s waiting” Someone asks who takes the slot A second voice says, “clear the platform” While the first says, “we are not” I brace my boot against the panel Work the manual catch by hand Kids repeat the safety card Like they’re helping me command [Chorus] Hold fast, we’re not falling through I’ve got the wheel; i’ll turn it true One hard release, one measured breath We bring you down from here, not yet [Guitar solo] [Chorus] Hold fast, we’re not falling through I’ve got the wheel; i’ll turn it true The floor comes level, doors draw wide The whole group steps out safe outside [Outro] Tell the next tour they can wait We count each child, then clear the gate