Steel ribs breathe in tunnels deep
Where salt winds never wake or sleep
A lantern swings on rusted chain
Above the dark and dripping vein
Iron hums at three a.m.
Song the city won't condemn
Wheels remember ocean foam
Far from water far from home
Tiles glow like biolight
Moss grows where the brakemen write
Each bolt sings a shanty tune
Beneath the pale electric moon
Iron hums at three a.m.
Song the city won't condemn
Wheels remember ocean foam
Far from water far from home
Conductor checks his brass watch face
Times the rhythm keeps the pace
No gulls cry on this platform gray
Just steel and stone and folding pay
Tide turns in the tunnel throat
Bell buoy rings on riveted note
Keeper watches keeper waits
For dawn to break the iron gates
Platform empties train pulls through
Humming fades to steel and blue
Lamp still swings on rusted chain
Above the dark and dripping vein
Iron hums at three a.m.
Song the city won't condemn
Wheels remember ocean foam
Far from water far from home
Morning breaks on Fulton Street
Boots climb up from concrete seat
Carriage rests on siding track
Dreams of waves and rolling back
Iron hums at three a.m.
Song the city won't condemn
Wheels remember ocean foam
Far from water far from home
Iron hums at three a.m.
Keeper's light still burns for them
Lantern swings on rusted chain
Above the dark and dripping vein