I was forged in Pittsburgh fire long ago
Hauling coal through Allegheny winter snow
Now I rest on siding near the Pacific shore
Listening to tires hum on concrete floor
The overpass sings hymns I almost know
Altos in the guardrail vibrate low
Each sedan a note each truck a chord
I rust in peace but keep my record
Salt wind writes its litany on my flaking skin
I sang in yards where shunting engines begin
Now gulls perch where brakemen used to stand
I bless the ocean with my iron hand
The overpass sings hymns I almost know
Altos in the guardrail vibrate low
Each sedan a note each truck a chord
I rust in peace but keep my record
Headlights paint stained glass on corroded steel
A moving congregation made of wheel
I remember the weight of grain and ore
Now I carry only wind and shore
The overpass sings hymns I almost know
Altos in the guardrail vibrate low
Each sedan a note each truck a chord
I rust in peace but keep my record
Tonight a choir of horns ascends the grade
I harmonize with brakes that scream and fade
My voice is flaking paint and bolt and rivet
But I sing loud enough the stars to hear it
The overpass sings hymns I almost know
Altos in the guardrail vibrate low
Each sedan a note each truck a chord
I rust in peace but keep my record
My iron throat still praises every lord
Pizzicato fades on the incoming tide
Steel psalm resolves where land and water divide
