The Great Iron Screw - Seth Lakeman

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