Steam Against the Countdown

[Intro] [Instrumental: rolling tom fill, muted low chug, clipped guitar and bass stabs] [Verse 1] You radioed the mill at a quarter to four Digester valve seized, no steam through the door I hit the catwalk with my wrench in my hand You said, “keep that line moving, don’t let it stand” [Pre-Chorus] The supervisor counts down, his voice cuts through “Ten minutes to shutdown—what’s your status?” I answer, “still turning, still holding the line” While the gauge climbs higher and the bolts bind [Chorus] Hold that valve! keep it turning! Steam in my face, heat in the air Hold that valve! keep it turning! One more bolt and we’re clear [Verse 2] The paper mill shakes with a deep iron groan Your countdown gets shorter; the pressure climbs on I work through the steam with my sleeves rolled high You watch that red needle and ask me why [Pre-Chorus] The supervisor counts down, his voice cuts through “Five minutes to shutdown—what’s your status?” I answer, “still turning, still holding the line” While the gauge climbs higher and the bolts bind [Chorus] Hold that valve! keep it turning! Steam in my face, heat in the air Hold that valve! keep it turning! One more bolt and we’re clear [Guitar solo] [Instrumental: aggressive distorted guitar solo] [Bridge] The last bolt breaks free The pressure starts to fall You call the all-clear I hear the mill breathe [Chorus] Hold that valve! keep it turning! Steam in my face, heat in the air Hold that valve! keep it turning! One more bolt and we’re clear [Outro] [Instrumental: final clipped guitar and bass stabs, rolling tom fill]