TITANIC
BEAUTIFUL SHIP
I have built a beautiful ship.
Everyone is safe in it.
Safe on the high seas.
Comfort in the extreme.
Nothing will bring her down.
Designed to be the best around.
Grace and beauty,
A jewel of industry.
We set sail from South Hampton Dock.
Sailed with the wind in our hair.
A city afloat without a care.
A place removed from despair.
Come on, we’re going to touch a star,
Get wasted at the wet bar.
Man has finally conquered the sea.
There’s nothing to compare.
Every detail handled with care.
Every pleasure wrapped in luxury.
The furnace boiled beneath the waves.
The engine pumping strong and brave.
The water churning at our stern.
The Captain strong, without concern.
We’re making history,
The greatest ship to ever sail the sea.
No fear left, we’re all safe in here.
A shudder, maybe a hint of fear.
Water flows into the tear.
Icy fingers, screams no one can hear.
SAVAGE BEAUTY
In the night while the passengers slept.
The ship cut through the icy depths.
The ship moved on into the night.
An Iceberg passed her on the right.
Grace and power rolled into one.
Elegant beauty, endless fun.
A confidence we can defeat,
All the forces we meet.
Here before us is Industry.
It leads to tragedy.
Whatever controls the machine.
Controls everything.
Arrogance is the power of one.
No turning back, the deal is done.
Realization that you’ve lost.
Humanity pays the cost.
The corridors fill one by one.
Savage beauty, no more fun.
DA ICE
The Ice cut through plates of steel.
Every space water rushed to fill.
Hungry to push out the air.
Crushing all hope with despair.
The water pushed over walls.
Broke bulkheads that never should fall.
Moved like a thief in the night.
Consuming everything in sight.
The Arrogant plans of man.
The Towering Achievements of man,
Come crashing to earth again.
Whatever he builds will fall.
When it defies the will of God.
And Pride comes before the fall.
Glory is its calling card.
Famous in every land,
Witness the glory of man,
Pushing Nature aside.
BEAUTIFUL SHIP (déjà vu)
Pushing Nature aside,
The ship will call you to ride.
And offer you endless pleasure,
And a joy you cannot measure.
The ancient song of the sea,
Its treasures are safe with me.
I am not the kind of man,
Who dreams of the glory of things.
I have built a beautiful ship.
Everyone is safe in it.
The Deep End - Raleigh, N.C. September, 2007
Tied Eyes - Far East Durham, N.C. November, 2009