Bellows pull. Coals wake. Tongs up. Mask tight. Scale pops red; slag spits far. Flux dust down; mark the bar. Bar to billet; square each side. Color hits straw—shape the spine. Heel on horn; shoulder set. Draw it long; kill the burrs dead. Heat back in; stock stays hot. Quench vat clear. Grip stays firm. (Breath—½ beat) Strike — lift — turn — quench; iron sings. Spark rain, floor takes dings. Strike — lift — turn — quench; edge stays square. Left, right — peen comes through. Rivet heads, hinge and bar. Latch cut clean; gauge the bar. Tap the seam; set the drift. Tong swap quick; no wasted lift. Grain runs tight; colors show. Back to fire; hammers strike. Edge comes up; burr lines fade. Oil stands ready. Don’t delay. (Stop—¼ bar) Strike — lift — turn — quench; iron sings. Shop hum low, metal rings. Strike — lift — turn — quench; hold that line. Face, peen — clean the seam. Old hands teach the newer crew: Heat, hit, check — then do. Oil takes breath; work gets name. Cool it straight; stamp the frame. Strike — lift — turn — quench; iron sings. Spark to dark; run ends clean. Strike — lift — turn — quench; day is won. Hang the tongs — work well done. Bench. Rag. Cold beer.
