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Steel Bridge Songs Vol​.​11

by SteelBridgeSongfest

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1.
There’s a town named after a fish that’s obsolete With an interesting bridge on Michigan Street So interesting in fact that it inspires music But the problem folks have is that they tend to confuse it with Two other bridges in town but they’re foolish The Michigan bridge is the crown jewel it’s By far compared to those, the most artistic When they tried to bulldoze it people went ballistic They wrote songs And their efforts in the race to save it did Those other ones Could never replace their favorite bridge What does it take to write a song about a bridge? What does it take to write a song about a bridge? First you need a bridge But you got to write about the right bridge Not the bridge on the left Wrong bridge, wrong song, move along Well, what does it take to write a song about a bridge? What does it take to write a song about a bridge? That other bridge is wrong. It’s not the right one. If you find yourself on Oregon Wrong bridge, wrong song, move along What does it take to write a song about a bridge? What does it take to write a song about a bridge? If you think you’ve found a bridge that works for you And that bridge is on 57/42 Wrong bridge, wrong song, move along First you need to know what bridge you’re on A teenage girl who can sing the song A hot shot picker who can strum along And a really good drummer Oooh, a real good drummer A real good drummer Mmmm real good drummer It’s imperative that it’s that very bridge and Your coordinates are flawless and most Of all it’s important to understand When there’s a lot on the line and the Life of a bridge is at stake, well what does it take? You need a really good drummer Real good drummer Real good, real good, real good drummer
2.
Gotta get across, now Carry that cross, now Gotta carry that cross to the other side Gotta keep dry, now Gotta keep dry, now Gotta keep dry, when the waters rise Move it on high now Move it on high now Move it on high, when the waters rise You gotta move it on high, when the waters rise The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked You gotta keep faithful You gotta keep faithful You gotta have faith in a higher plan You gotta hear the music You gotta feel the music You gotta feel the muse, let it flow on through You gotta feel the muse, let it flow on through The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked The preacher man says that the Jesus gonna see you naked
3.
Over the bay I stand so tall My arms they rise up and they fall A heart of gold and eyes of steel And I will help this town to heal Sing for the water, sing for the sun Sing for the neighbors, and for everyone Sing so sweetly, gonna hear you swoon Give a holler back and I’ll sing it with you Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh Under the sky that’s oh so blue Carry the weight to help you through The splashing waves they feed my soul You hear my song as the wheels roll Sing for the water, sing for the sun Sing for the neighbors, and for everyone Sing so sweetly, gonna hear you swoon Give a holler back and I’ll sing it with you Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh If I disappeared what would you do? Would you sing for me, like I sing for yoouuuuuuuuuuuuu? Sing for the water, sing for the sun Sing for the neighbors, and for everyone Sing so sweetly, gonna hear you swoon Give a holler back and I’ll sing it with you Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh Aahhh aahh ahhhhhh a ah ahhhh a ahhhh ah ahhha ahhhhhh Sing for the water, sing for the sun Sing for the neighbors, and for everyone Sing so sweetly, gonna hear you swoon Give a holler back and I’ll sing it with you
4.
Hanky Panky 02:56
Sailor boy When you’re sailin’ out to sea I hope you don’t forget me I’ll be sittin’ here blue Savin’ all my Hanky Panky for you You went away with my heart When your ship departed Now what else can I do Savin’ all my Hanky Panky for you I’ll wave from the Bridge And blow you a kiss Write you love letters every day I’m gonna miss The taste of your lips The way you move, that sailor sway I’ll wave from the Bridge And blow you a kiss Write you love letters every day But I’m gonna miss The taste of your lips The way you move, that sailor sway When you’re sailin’ out to sea I hope you don’t forget me I’ll be sittin’ here blue Savin’ all my Hanky Panky for you I’ll be sittin’ here blue Savin’ all my Hanky Panky for you Oh, what else can I do Savin’ all my Hanky Panky for you
5.
In the video nightmare In the video dream Better turn your lamps up ‘Cause things aren’t what they seem Bebo first saw Palu On the bridge looking down Studyin’ the cold blue water For a wave in which to drown You can burn your money If you need some light for seeing If you have no money You can still make a video dream Bebo said to Palu It’s a fine day for a swim I know just the place to go If you feel like diving in Palu went with Bebo to a place called Tambourine They sang this song together in the video dream Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la Palu said don’t look away Don’t lose me in the noise You’ll find yourself so far astray That you can’t hear my voice But Bebo had a video nightmare And Palu had a video dream Now Bebo lies all alone Bebo lie lie lie And Palu sings a lonely song Palu la la Bebo lie lie lie lie Palu la la la Bebo lie lie lie lie Palu la la la la Come on shake your Tambourine And build this video dream Sing what you wanna be singin’ And bring what you wanna be bringin’ Sing what you wanna be singin’ And bring what you wanna be bringin’ Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la Bebo Palu la la la la la
6.
We can stand together, we can stand apart Though it’s a miracle we stand at all, we will never fall We will always be unified, even if we’re not side by side The bridge we’re building may block our view, but in the end it will be me and you Steel Bridges don’t burn Steel Bridges don’t burn Steel Bridges stand firm through the fire that burns as the water goes by We’ll learn to stand together We’ll always come around We’re going to need each other To stay on higher ground Steel Bridges don’t burn Steel Bridges don’t burn Steel Bridges stand firm through the fire that burns as the water goes by Steel Bridges stand firm through the fire that burns as the water goes by They unify, connect two sides rising over the tide
7.
Holding on when the world turns upside down Working hard to keep our feet on the ground On the way to finding what was lost There will always be another bridge to cross Cross that bridge when we get there, yeah Cross that bridge with our love Sometimes what should be right is wrong There’s a part of you that knew it, all along When it seems that nothing turns out right Remember even the darkest tunnels end in light Cross that bridge when we get there, yeah Cross that bridge with our love Cross that bridge when we get there, yeah Cross that bridge with our love Don’t even give it a second thought You can win the battle before it’s fought Before it’s even fought Cross that bridge when we get there, yeah Cross that bridge with our love Cross that bridge when we get there, yeah Cross that bridge with our love
8.
She’s a rusty old workin’ tugboat Pushin’ and shovin’ and keepin’ the others alive and afloat Without her they might wander, go astray But she’s keepin’ them straight on course, and out of harm’s way She sends them out to sea Out of the bay And into the light of day They will travel far, far away Workin’ the waterfront She’s there when you’re in need Workin’ the waterfront She’s got a soul so deep Workin’ the waterfront You better believe She’s an engine with a strong heartbeat She’s workin’ the waterfront Now she’s in drydock, all but forgotten She’s been neglected, but she’s defiant and unbroken This old man still sees her in her glory days Still strong, still beautiful in every way She sends me out to sea Out of the bay And into the light of day And I will travel far, far away Workin’ the waterfront She’s there when you’re in need Workin’ the waterfront She’s got a soul so deep Workin’ the waterfront You better believe She’s an engine with a strong heartbeat Some say no harm in puttin’ the past on the shelf But I say when we lose the story, we lose ourselves, we lose our way And the truth is the soul of this town is on the bay And that’s where it’s gonna stay Workin’ the waterfront She’s there when you’re in need Workin’ the waterfront She’s got a soul so deep Workin’ the waterfront You better believe She’s an engine with a strong heartbeat She’s workin’ the waterfront Workin’ the waterfront Workin’ the waterfront Workin’ the waterfront Workin’ the waterfront Workin’ the waterfront
9.
Downbound 03:32
Keeping the green light on our right Through this cold and foggy night Winter’s frosty winds they blow Dead ahead the seaway… It’s time to go We’re downbound Through the locks and lakes Batten those hatches down And we’re on our way We’re downbound To the ocean waves A kiss goodbye and cast away We’ll be back in sixteen days Leaving with ore and back with grain I can’t wait to see your face again We’re downbound Through the locks and lakes Batten those hatches down And we’re on our way We’re downbound Calling now ship to shore Take the helm and stay the course Guide me out and safely home Back to your loving arms once more We’re downbound Through the locks and lakes Batten those hatches down And we’re on our way We’re downbound To the ocean waves We’re downbound We’re downbound We’re downbound We’re downbound We’re downbound We’re downbound We’re downbound
10.
Say you got your head up But the world won’t let up So tell ‘em it’s a set up And you’re the catch of the day Maybe you’re the hunter Maybe you’re the hunted Put the baby in the bunker Hide the silver away So – start runnin’ Keep runnin’ Heads up honey there’s a cold war comin’ In your head It’s redemption It’s the only way you know how Save yourself A hundred ways to play the fool Save yourself You can play god and the devil too Burnin’ all the bridges Drownin’ in your riches Words get twisted You got nothin’ to say Read me my Miranda Fed me propaganda Smokey and the bandit What’s the truth anyway? So – start runnin’ Keep runnin’ Heads up honey there’s a cold war comin’ In your head It’s redemption It’s the only way you know how Save yourself A hundred ways to break the rules Save yourself Play it dirty, play it cruel Save yourself A hundred ways to play the fool Save yourself You can play god and the devil too You can play god and the devil too Save yourself A hundred ways to break the rules Save yourself Play it dirty, play it cruel Save yourself A hundred ways to play the fool Save yourself You can play god and the devil too You can play god and the devil too
11.
Death's Door 03:00
Once again we set sail for death’s door Will we wake up in our beds Or wash up on the shore We’re united tonight but I’m sure One of us falls to our fears Like we’re going to war Alive Just get out alive Wait for the bridge to appear Wait for me darling dear Alive Just get out alive Wait for the bridge to appear Wait for me darling dear She rode out what we had On a slow heartbeat We still haven’t had a casualty Alive Just get out alive Wait for the bridge to appear Wait for me darling dear Alive Just get out alive Wait for the bridge to appear Wait for me darling dear Somebody knows how this ends Is it here on the sea Where no olive branch bends We’re united tonight but I’m sure One of us falls to our fears Like we’re going to war
12.
Burning sun, lovely one We’re all from, burning sun Burning sun, lovely one We’re all from, burning sun Summertime comes, days are long Sand sparkling in the sun, shine on me now Everyone, having fun Now the ocean song, has begun Burning sun, lovely one We’re all from, burning sun Burning sun, lovely one We’re all from, burning sun Summertime comes, days are long Sand sparkling in the sun, shine on me now Everyone, having fun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun Now the ocean song, has begun
13.
Ashes 02:38
You built your city On stones from my quarry And you made a beggar out of me We rented the ledge Borrowing trouble Smoldering steel, smoldering steel Embers to ashes Two orphan songbirds, from the same litter Recycling sorrow in song Choking on smoke, we found our way back to each other Hellbent on fixing our nest We rented the ledge Borrowing trouble Smoldering steel, smoldering steel Embers to ashes Can we fly with our hearts still attached Trusting your love to bring me back Can we fly with our hearts still attached Trusting your love to bring me back, to you Smoldering steel, smoldering steel Embers to ashes Smoldering steel, smoldering steel Embers to ashes to you
14.
How do you sparkle and fade With grace as we wither away The tree is now fifty feet tall Just a seed that took root in fall Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Picked a blue bonnet and it turned into dust Like a flatbed in the tall grass that’s all covered in rust Some will turn to water Some turn to wine In the eyes of your daughter See the minutes and lines Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Light and sound Beautiful – underground Sweet hometown Through my eyes I have found you again Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go again Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go Never gonna let it go
15.
You like tears and I like pain A good excuse to drink again Can’t bring me to my senses without wine Gin will make a man too tough Too much beer is not enough But the blood of Christ at a discount price Is the only way to make me cry We woke up in Milwaukee Went to bed in Sturgeon Bay I guess we didn’t wanna be at home The sign above read Pigsville Nothin’ more to say They told me the high life Would treat me a different way You like tears and I like pain A good excuse to drink again Can’t bring me to my senses without wine Gin will make a man too tough Too much beer is not enough But the blood of Christ at a discount price Is the only way to make me cry Cross the devil’s river Hitchhikin’ up to Trivers On Highway 43 The 30-pack from Sheboygan’s gettin’ low The night’s gettin’ clearer in the rearview mirror As the miles keep rollin’ on Hit the Crazy 8 in Tisch Mills We’re livin’ in a drinkin’ song You like tears and I like pain A good excuse to drink again Can’t bring me to my senses without wine Gin will make a man too tough Too much beer is not enough But the blood of Christ at a discount price Is the only way to make me cry Did a bit of sloppy kissin’ at the Steelhead Saloon Washed-up alewives waftin’ on the breeze By the time we got back to Sturgeon We were two shots shy of dead We bent down to kiss the ground Booted off the bridge instead You like tears and I like pain A good excuse to drink again Can’t bring me to my senses without wine Gin will make a man too tough Too much beer is not enough But the blood of Christ at a discount price Is the only way to make me cry I said the blood of Christ at a discount price Is the only way to make me cry
16.
Slinging rivets all day long Fire to light a workman’s song You laid the track and I followed you You pulled me back as I fell right through You’re a bridge to my heart A lone bridge to my soul You were a bridge to my heart But the saltwater tears turned it to rust Over the side, a long drop in You threw a line and reeled me in Pressed my chest, and cleared me out You brought me back from the demons of doubt You’re a bridge to my heart A lone bridge to my soul You were a bridge to my heart But the saltwater tears turned it to rust Paper sailboats ridin’ in I look inside and find it’s time to begin again The days were sweet, the nights were long Memory seeps when the harbor’s calm The rivets rust, and then fall away They lay in ruins at the bottom of the bay You’re a bridge to my heart A lone bridge to my soul You were a bridge to my heart But the saltwater tears turned it to rust You were a bridge to my heart (tears they rust) A lone bridge to my soul (all the rivets away) You were a bridge to my heart (they lay in ruins) A lone bridge to my soul (at the bottom of the bay) You were a bridge to my heart (mmhmm) A lone bridge to my soul (to my soul) You were a bridge to my heart (to my heart)
17.
Sturgeon Bay 03:56
Sturgeon Bay, don’t you know how bad I wanna stay? Am I insane? For feeling lonely when I drive away But you never hold me back or stop me When I turn around and walk away Why would you let me walk away Door County, tell me are you still my girl? Do you miss me like I’ve missed you You’re the reason why I’m comin’ home I’m on my way to, the old secret place we used to play I still remember I still remember that day Can we party on the bridge tonight? Meet me at the Holiday I promise I won’t start a fight Who bows down to who Doesn’t matter Because we’re all the same We’re all the same We’re all the same I know I won’t get to stay Home here in Sturgeon Bay Even though everywhere That I go I can still see your face Still longing for the sweet embrace There is nowhere I would rather be Than this starry little city Where everything is so close to me You’re always there When it’s needed the most But you let me come and go As I so please It’s all gone with the summer wind I can’t stand to leave you again I can’t stand To leave you again Sturgeon Bay Do you know why I wanna stay I feel insane and lonely Every time I drive away
18.
We have everything we need Promise me these things When I reach don’t pull away When the tide turns, stay Coast to coast you keep me safe Our hearts beat with the waves We float down the ocean shore We have it all We have it all When the tide turns, stay When the tide turns, stay We have it all
19.
Walkin’ alone, skippin’ a stone Not gon’ be lonely no more Settin’ a chart that leads to your heart Follow it straight to your door You can tell your old man I don’t give a damn I’m takin’ you out on the town Dog days are done, you need some fun Someone to show you around It’s been so long since I heard your song I can’t get you out of my mind I’m tellin’ you I intend to be true Until we reach the end of the line I’ve had bad days, my crooked ways But that ain’t me anymore I’m settin’ the chart that leads to your heart And follow it straight to your door It’s been so long since I heard your song I can’t get you out of my mind I’m tellin’ you I intend to be true Until we reach the end of the line I’ve had bad days, my crooked ways But that ain’t me anymore I’m settin’ the chart that leads to your heart And follow it straight to your door Follow it straight to your door Follow it straight to your door
20.
Steely Gates 03:33
Crossing thru those gates, thru those Steely Gates, Over Sturgeon Bay. Such a long day, come a long way. Now I'm here to stay. Say what you wanna say Play what you wanna play. At the Holiday. Leave it all behind, funk what's on your mind. Let the fear fade away. Don't you ever give up, you can always get down. You gotta do what you love, spread the light all around. Word gets around, gets around in a small town, The music's makin’ waves Say it loud, shout it out now. Can't deny it's time for change. Play what you wanna play Say what you wanna say. At the Holiday... Feel the vibe, we're all just one tribe, We’re all family! Don't you ever give up, you can always get down. You gotta do what you love, spread the light all around. Say what you wanna say Play what you wanna play We’re all family! Say what you wanna say Play what you wanna play We’re all family! Say what you wanna say Play what you wanna play We’re all family! We’re all family! We’re all family!
21.
Spin 02:52
Here’s my take We are the bridge We come together like this We get the spins Go to bed and wake up Then do it all over again Fame and fortune are not up to us Our lives are a set of circumstances that align in some way And reveal the road ahead My spin, from a man of my age and disposition, Is that it’s a controlled social experiment, and a kind of sacrament Different inspirations expose the diversity of each group Encounters with the unexpected stretch us They draw out parts of us that we are meeting for the first time The spinning bottle is a portal of sorts to the unexplored A southern door A bridge from my comfort zone to the construction zone Together we collect, collaborate, connect, and celebrate All these songs we make These self-discoveries are always life changing They can be delightful, they can be intimidating, Uncomfortable, and courageous Each one crucial to our development as a musician Spinning is expensive And I have limited time to spend Yet I let me actions travel from my brain to my limbs Through my spine And I spin Each take is different Each is significant That’s what makes the spins so magnificent Each spin brings us closer to the best version of ourselves I’ve got my lanyard I’ve got my pen That’s my way in Spin.
22.
Let’s build a bridge to forever Forever’s where I want to hold you dear A monthlong would be nice A hint of paradise But even thirty years would not suffice, oh baby Let’s build a bridge to forever Forever’s where I want to hold you dear Let’s hop a train to forever Forever is the only game around We’ll ride the sleeping car And gaze at passing stars I’ll kiss those lips that ever will astound me, me, me So let’s hop a train to forever Forever is the only game around I know it’s just a word that often can be heard On radio or at the movie show And though it sounds naïve I truly do believe Eternal bliss is right before our noses, our noses So let’s build a bridge to forever And when it’s done we’ll drive across, my dove ‘Cause forever I said forever Forever is the only place for love! Forever’s often said by fools who have no head No heart to feel just what this word can mean But let me tell you girl My heart’s been in a whirl And every day’s become eternal spring, now can’t you see that We should take the bridge to forever ‘Cause I will swear by the sun that shines above That forever I said forever Forever is the only place for love

about

This collection extending over eleven volumes (and counting!) represents a decade-long collective labor of love. What started with the desire to save a bridge from destruction has evolved into an activist art project involving hundreds of creative souls, all paying playful tribute to the mighty steel bridge and to the community that lives and works in its historic setting. Never at a loss for new inspiration, Steel Bridge culture and its outpouring continues to flourish year after year - and Vol.11 might be the best batch of bridge songs yet! Deep thanks to all the musicians, volunteers, contributors, and attendees who've supported Steel Bridge Songfest and made this work possible!

credits

released June 11, 2016

Recorded June 7-13, 2015 by Steve Hamilton, Dan O Stoffels, Derek Brady, Teve Mith, and Barrett Tasky in Sturgeon Bay, WI at The Holiday Music Motel / Tambourine Collaboratory. Produced by pat mAcdonald, the engineers, and the artists themselves. Administrative assistance by melaniejane, our Air Traffic Controller, with help from Teresa Young. Mastered by Steve Hamilton at Makin' Sausage Music (Milwaukee, WI). Design by Greg Welsh. For more info about Steel Bridge Songfest, The Holiday Music Motel, and Steel Bridge Radio (where you can hear these songs streaming 24/7), please visit our websites: HolidayMusicMotel.com, SteelBridgeSongfest.org, SteelBridgeRadio.com

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