We set the first steel before sunrise Cold bolts stiffened under my gloves The survey line ran through the concrete I checked each mark against the plans By noon, the columns held their weight By dusk, our names were off the page They'll praise the architect's design Print every name but ours in gold Who held the line when the cables pulled? Put your hand on the stone Feel the strain in the joints below We know which bolts hold under pressure Which seams were sealed against the cold You can raise it above us You can't erase who made it stand The opening drew a thousand cameras White gloves pulled the ribbon tight A minister spoke of bold ambition While grit still lodged beneath the stairs I caught my shift reflected in the glass Then clocked out through the loading bay Put your hand on the stone Feel the strain in the joints below We know which bolts hold under pressure Which seams were sealed against the cold You can raise it above us You can't erase who made it stand I know which bolt took three attempts Which stair still dips beneath the heel You know the name above the entrance I know what keeps it standing still Put your hand on the stone Feel the strain in the joints below We know which bolts hold under pressure Which seams were sealed against the cold You can claim the view from the summit But our work is holding you there
