The Ferry Moves When the Ramp Says

[Кіріспе] [Қайырма] Ramp won’t fall, the tide won’t wait! Half their wheels are through the gate! Hand on the pump, steel under strain— Captain, your timetable can wait! [Куплет 1] Blue lamps blink on the loading lane, Two cars straddle the raised steel plate. Hydraulic’s locked; the lever bucks, The captain barks, “we sail at eight!” I wrench the handle, count each stroke, Cold salt beads on my knuckles’ seams. A child peers out through a fogged-up pane; I tell her, “soon,” above the engines’ scream. [Қайырма] Ramp won’t fall, the tide won’t wait! Half their wheels are through the gate! Hand on the pump, steel under strain— Captain, your timetable can wait! [Куплет 2] He jabs his watch toward the darkened slip, I point at tires caught on the incline. One pump, then another—the platform shifts; The safety latch still holds the line. “Ten minutes lost!” he shouts from the rail. “Then lend a hand,” i shout back below. The jack gives way with a shuddering drop; I guide each bumper down slow. [Guitar solo] [Қайырма] Ramp won’t fall, the tide won’t wait! Half their wheels are through the gate! Hand on the pump, steel under strain— Captain, your timetable can wait! [Аутро] Last axle clears; the latch swings free. The captain checks his watch, then me. I wipe my hands on my work-shirt sleeve— The ferry moves when the ramp says leave.