Close the Navigation

[Intro] [Two-beat rolling toms] [Low chug, bass slide, faint organ swell] [Stuttering triplet riff] [Verse 1] I drop through the hatch where the brown water turns The gauge glass is cracked and the work lamp burns A seam in the seal spits grit in my face The chamber’s filling; i reach for the brace [Pre-Chorus] They’re still on the radio counting the cost Boats at the lock, every minute is lost [Chorus] Shut it by hand, shut it down Before the towpath takes the town Blind in the surge, i feel for the wheel Turn till the iron teeth bite and seal Close the navigation—clear every boat I’m holding the line where the dark waters float [Verse 2] The current takes gloves, then pulls at my sleeve “Keep traffic moving,” the office replies I find the valve stem by touch and by strain The handle bucks hard in the silt and the drain [Pre-Chorus] I tell them the footbridge is under the spray Give me the closure; get the boats away [Chorus] Shut it by hand, shut it down Before the towpath takes the town Blind in the surge, i feel for the wheel Turn till the iron teeth bite and seal Close the navigation—clear every boat I’m holding the line where the dark waters float [Guitar solo] [Verse 3] One quarter turn, and the pressure comes back The seal finds its seat with a shuddering crack The roar thins to drops; the levels hold still I call from below: “keep the gate closed until—” [Pre-Chorus] The boats can wait; let the towpath stay dry I’m coming up now—keep the channel offline [Chorus] Shut it by hand, shut it down Before the towpath takes the town Blind in the surge, i felt for the wheel Turned till the iron teeth bit and sealed Close the navigation—clear every boat We held the line; now the waters lie low [Outro] Keep the gate closed Let the towpath dry The boats can wait I’m coming up alive