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