Track Insight / Lyrics
Rain hammers the tin roof above his head
Coiled cable rests beside a thermos red
Lightning writes its signature on black sky
He checks the tester, lets the volts fly high
Insulated pliers worn smooth in his palm
Fifty years of splices keeping lines calm
Oak rocker creaks slow beneath his weight
Static cracks the receiver by the gate
Hold the line the storm will break
Hold the line for connection's sake
Wires hum deep beneath the pine
Every circuit keeps the time
Diner window fogs from grill and steam
I flip a burger in a waking dream
Eggs over easy for the regular crew
He waves his mug, I nod and pour it true
Hold the line the storm will break
Hold the line for connection's sake
Wires hum deep beneath the pine
Every circuit keeps the time
Thunder rolls the porch boards into shake
He doesn't flinch, doesn't reach for cake
Just tightens down a binding post screw
Knows exactly what the current will do
Dawn bleeds gray across the splice case door
Green insulation glistens, done with war
Test tone sings clean through the repaired span
Dial tone returns to the whole land
Bell rings loud above the vinyl seat
He slides in slow, wipes mud from boot and feet
Black coffee, rye toast, jelly on the side
Another shift completed, another storm survived
Hold the line the storm will break
Hold the line for connection's sake
Wires hum deep beneath the pine
Every circuit keeps the time
Dial tone hums steady on the wire
Morning coffee, quiet fire
