You roll on riveted iron wheels
Grinding slow on frozen steel rails
Mist clings heavy on your rusted flanks
Dripping cold on oil-stained tanks
The bridge spans wide with bolted spine
Iron ribs kiss weeping brine
You search each girder plate and pin
For the crack that lets the river in
Iron bridge mist holds you tight
Cold metal lungs breathe through the night
Wheels turn slow on singing rail
Hunting cracks in rusted veil
Lamp oil burns in keeper's hand
Guiding ships from jagged land
Your headlamp sweeps the lattice work
Seeking where the shadows lurk
Iron bridge mist holds you tight
Cold metal lungs breathe through the night
Wheels turn slow on singing rail
Hunting cracks in rusted veil
River rises tidal pull
Steel groans deep the structure full
You find the break a hairline fracture
Pressure sings in copper rafter
Rivets pop like pistol shots
History ties these iron knots
You mark the spot with chalk and paint
Before the metal yields to faint
Morning breaks the mist apart
Sun strikes steel a welding art
The fracture sealed with bolt and plate
You roll away from heavy weight
Iron bridge mist holds you tight
Cold metal lungs breathe through the night
Wheels turn slow on singing rail
Hunting cracks in rusted veil
Iron bridge mist holds you tight
Cold metal lungs breathe through the night
Wheels turn slow on singing rail
Mist lifts clean from iron veil