Track Insight / Lyrics
The copper sings a low cold hum
Beneath the fog's wet heavy thumb
I splice the sheath with steady hand
Where land gives way to shifting sand
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Holding the dark to the shore light
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Carrying voices through the night
The insulation cracks and bleeds
Where winter storms plant hungry seeds
I tape the joint with rubber skin
And watch the tide come rolling in
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Holding the dark to the shore light
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Carrying voices through the night
A distant bell marks off the watch
The beam sweeps slow, a steady clock
I clip the test set, hear the dial
A thousand miles in half a mile
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Holding the dark to the shore light
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Carrying voices through the night
No lantern glass to clean today
The keeper's log is put away
Just copper singing in the gale
A different light along the rail
The splices hold against the pull
The circuit hums, the line stays full
I pack my tools, the work is done
Until the next black rising sun
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Holding the dark to the shore light
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Carrying voices through the night
Salt on the wire, salt on the line
Carrying voices through the night
The gulls cry high, the wind blows cold
The copper sings, the line holds
The copper sings, the line holds
