Turning Ice to Water

[Intro] [Feedback swell, two chugs, drums and riff; growl enters] [Verse 1] The thermometer says forty-two Holiday banners in the lodge I watch the intake glass turn white Then hear the pump begin to cough The pressure needle bucks and falls The main line locks beneath the hill The manager calls from upstairs: “Post the base depth. call it open.” [Chorus] You want a number, i’ve got frozen hands You want a promise stamped across the land I’m at the manifold, two in the morning Turning ice to water while the warm rain keeps coming Say we’re open, say we’re ready I’m holding this whole mountain steady [Verse 2] I wrap my coat around the pipe Work the wrench against the seam Steam lifts off the steel in bursts Like the hill is trying to breathe The cavitation shakes the shed The line spits slush against my boots He says the holiday crowd is due I say the water won’t go through [Chorus] You want a number, i’ve got frozen hands You want a promise stamped across the land I’m at the manifold, two in the morning Turning ice to water while the warm rain keeps coming Say we’re open, say we’re ready I’m holding this whole mountain steady [Guitar solo] [Breakdown] Half time—hold the valve Half time—watch it fall No base, no lie, no borrowed snow Just this iced-up line and the pump below [Final chorus] You want a number, i’ve got frozen hands You want a promise stamped across the land I’m at the manifold, two in the morning Turning ice to water while the warm rain keeps coming Say we’re open, say we’re ready I’m holding this whole mountain steady You want a number, i’ve got frozen hands You want a promise stamped across the land I’m at the manifold, two in the morning Turning ice to water while the warm rain keeps coming Say we’re open, say we’re ready I’m holding this whole mountain steady [Outro] The pump catches once, then holds I leave the wrench beside the cold They post the depth before the dawn I’m still here when the guests roll on