The Bullwheel Turns Alone

[Кіріспе] Two beats of thunder, the mountain holds its breath One high wire sings, then the whole line steps [Қайырма] Keep it turning! keep it turning! Skiers are loading, the afternoon is coming Cut it by hand! cut it by hand! Cold in our gloves, but the line must stand [Куплет 1] Mid-season, the tower motor runs hot The operator calls: “don’t stop what we’ve got” I climb through the cold with the breaker in sight Your voice on the radio: “we’re full for the night” The chairs keep climbing, the passengers wait I reach for the switch with a frozen glove straight [Қайырма] Keep it turning! keep it turning! Skiers are loading, the afternoon is coming Cut it by hand! cut it by hand! Cold in our gloves, but the line must stand [Куплет 2] The drive motor’s screaming, the warning lights flare You say, “one more run, there’s a hundred up there” I cut the breaker; the towers go still The last chair descends with the mountain’s own chill You ask if it’s safe, if we can restart I check every joint in the blue-white dark [Guitar solo] [Қайырма] Keep it turning! keep it turning! Skiers are loading, the afternoon is coming Cut it by hand! cut it by hand! Cold in our gloves, but the line must stand [Аутро] The line stands still The mountain waits We’ll bring it back When it’s safe