Before the Night

[Кіріспе] [Куплет 1] The haul rope twitched above the pines The cabin swung; the grips fell slack I climbed the roof with wrench and line While dispatch called, “can we send them back?” [Қайырма] Hold fast, hold fast, don’t let it slide Tourists hanging over the mountainside My hands are raw, but the steel will bite We bring them home before the night [Куплет 2] A child pressed both hands to the glass The tower groaned beneath the strain I drove the grip against the cable And felt it catch, then catch again [Қайырма] Hold fast, hold fast, don’t let it slide Tourists hanging over the mountainside My hands are raw, but the steel will bite We bring them home before the night [Guitar solo] [Көпір] Dispatch wants the evening line reopened The gauge still shakes; the test is not done I say, “you can argue with the schedule— I’m not releasing anyone.” [Қайырма] Hold fast, hold fast, don’t let it slide Tourists hanging over the mountainside My hands are raw, but the steel will bite We bring them home before the night [Аутро] One car at a time, bring them down Lock the line; shut the station down