Another Long Night

I bash my spine on solid rock I've laid my head in sand I've spit my lips on words misfit On the docks of this fine land I've stepped on boards I can't afford And I've laid my troubles down When there're nothing left to tie me up I go hard on the heavy ground Here upon on this water side In the evening when I raise my eyes I burn, bend, and brace For another long night I'm stuck and slave in the loading line Now the engine grunts and squeals I've rendered rough when times are tough I've run on four square wheels All the stinky fumes for all angles They steam those windows round When there're nothing left to tie me up I go hard on the heavy ground Here upon on this water side In the evening when I raise my eyes I burn, bend, and brace For another long night For another long night And I've lifted gold and scratched for tin And I've rolled those barrels down And I've spun those ropes, stacked those boats I bashed that wheel again around For I'm a stevedore who works on the shore And I've reason to be proud When there're nothing left to tie me up I go hard on the heavy ground Here upon on this water side In the evening when I raise my eyes I burn, bend, and brace For another long night For another long night As the winter shadow stalks the day All the hiring crews are gone Well the driving force on the busy wolf Clocks out for a tidy somber One last ship was set to sail And with the cargo packed and bound In the turning mist this docker's shift Lay deep in the hollow ground Here upon on this water side In the evening when I close my eyes I burn, bend, and brace For another long night For another long night For another long night --- Another Long Night - Seth Lakeman