Karine Polwart - Can't Weld A Body lyrics

You crafted and caressed her with a careful hand But the lady didn't understand And you riveted and plated her til morning But with a coil or a careless spark Or a tumble in the dark She'll leave her mark upon you without warning You can float a boat of steel upon the ocean You can fix it up with nuts and bolts and toil But you can't weld a body when it's broken The lady she's as fair as Desdemona She swallowed you up just like Jonah And there the air inside her belly ailed you And no-one saw you fall And they did not hear your call And your breath it faltered just before it failed you On a cruiser that was fitted by your father You anchored in San Carlos harbour But the lady at the helm she was not for turning And in your bell bottoms blue In April 82 You bid adieu and watched all you knew burning