Keep That River High

[Intro] [Verse 1] The ladle hangs above the mold Red as a furnace mouth The hoist brake slips; the cable sings And the load swings south My glove finds iron, palm to wheel The hand brake bites and screams The boss is barking, “hold that heat!” I’m counting teeth and beams [Chorus] Hold it! hold it! keep that river high! One bad swing and the whole floor dies! Hands on the brake, boots planted wide— You want that heat? then stand inside! [Verse 2] The casting crew is clearing out A runner sparks below He says the order stands as writ I say the brake won’t hold I lean my weight against the wheel Feel every notch go thin The ladle swings past the pouring line I pull the handle in [Chorus] Hold it! hold it! keep that river high! One bad swing and the whole floor dies! Hands on the brake, boots planted wide— You want that heat? then stand inside! [Guitar solo] [Bridge] No paper order slows the load No shouted word can stop the swing I take the wheel with both bare hands And make the failing iron sing [Chorus] Hold it! hold it! keep that river high! One bad swing and the whole floor dies! Hands on the brake, boots planted wide— You want that heat? then stand inside! Hold it! hold it! hear the brake teeth bite! Clear that floor, get the pour in sight! Hands on the wheel till the danger’s gone— The heat can wait. the crew goes home.