Grip the Buried Cutter

[Intro] [Verse 1] Under the river, cutter teeth lock tight The gauge kicks red in the helmet light I slap the panel; the drive won’t turn Cold water threads where the seal should hold firm [Pre-Chorus] “Back it out!” — “no, feed it slow!” Three voices crackle, none say go My glove finds the hand-cranked override I take one breath with the river outside [Chorus] Turn it back by hand! Make that buried wheel obey! Hold the seal, hold the line! We are not giving ground today! Turn it back by hand! Till the cutter bites again! [Verse 2] A bead runs down the casing seam The radio spits through the shaking beam “Kill the thrust!” “keep pressure on!” I count each notch as the minutes crawl [Chorus] Turn it back by hand! Make that buried wheel obey! Hold the seal, hold the line! We are not giving ground today! Turn it back by hand! Till the cutter bites again! [Breakdown] One notch. Hold fast. Water at the seal. No one lets go. [Guitar solo] [Chorus] Turn it back by hand! Make that buried wheel obey! Hold the seal, hold the line! We are not giving ground today! Turn it back by hand! Till the cutter bites again!