Clamp the Handwheel Tight

[Intro] [One kick, bent guitar double-stop, clipped chug] [Verse 1] North berth, six bells, rain on the steel Trolley brake lets go; i feel the cable reel Box swings out above the black harbor skin I clamp both hands where the handwheel begins [Chorus] Hold that load—keep the water clear Hands on the release, keep the crew back here The ship can wait; let the timetable slide No one goes under on my watch tonight [Verse 2] Deck crew yelling, “what’s the next lift?” I turn one notch while the whole span shifts Red paint flakes where the hot brake bites My glove takes the edge; i keep it tight [Chorus] Hold that load—keep the water clear Hands on the release, keep the crew back here The ship can wait; let the timetable slide No one goes under on my watch tonight [Guitar solo] [Focused, melodic lead over the main riff] [Verse 3] The hook comes steady, the swing runs small The radio says we’ve missed the call I count each turn till the trolley stays Then wave the deck crew to clear the bay [Chorus] Hold that load—keep the water clear Hands on the release, keep the crew back here The ship can wait; let the timetable slide No one goes under on my watch tonight [Outro] Clear the deck—let the schedule slide Load held fast; nobody in the tide