The Great Iron Screw

One night I heard a sound
It fell on where we lay
With creaking sounds of timber
Our mast had broke away
A shudder and a shake
We thought we’d meet the end
Our heavy beaten vessel
It was struck upon again
The great iron screw
The heart of me and you
With all our might we’ll pull it tight
To bind the chosen few
Piercing through the wind
Keen Bradford spoke his mind
Keep on course, facing north
And ride the rolling tide
Jones the captain bold
He blew his whistle loud
Fix and fashion tie and tack
And lash your troubles down
The great iron screw
The heart of me and you
With all our might we’ll pull it tight
To bind the chosen few
Up on the deck they climbed
To fashion firm and straight
Hands all cracked and bleeding
Tears all down each face
Working eye to eye
With a rush to redesign
One last hand and the ship was tall
With a chance to sail alive
The great iron screw
The heart of me and you
With all our might we’ll pull it tight
To bind the chosen few