26. Iron for a Single Purpose | Act IV: The Last Ways Home

[Verse 1]
I stand beside the forge's crimson glow,
And watch the iron redden, bright and slow.
Each hammer stroke rings out against the steel,
And calls to mind the wound I cannot heal.

[Verse 2]
The smith knows metal, measure, heat and art,
I bring the will that burns within my heart.
He knows the shape that makes a weapon true,
I know the single work it has to do.

[Chorus]
Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly,
I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky.
One white whale moves through waters yet unknown,
And all my will pursues that shape alone.

[Verse 3]
The glowing iron reddens in the heat,
I hear the hammer mark its measured beat.
The sparks leap high and vanish in the air,
I see the white whale though he is not there.

[Verse 4]
I can command a pause to mend a seam,
And still return to that one waking dream.
I keep the ship intact to cross the sea,
And bring my chosen quarry close to me.

[Chorus]
Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly,
I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky.
One white whale moves through waters yet unknown,
And all my will pursues that shape alone.

[Verse 5]
The metal cools; I feel the weighted shaft,
A weapon shaped by patient, practised craft.
I lift it, testing point and balanced line,
And know the hand that hurls it will be mine.

[Verse 6]
The men may count their barrels in the hold,
And reckon every cask in terms of gold.
Yet all I hear is iron's heavy sound,
A summons to the whale I have not found.

[Chorus]
Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly,
I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky.
One white whale moves through waters yet unknown,
And all my will pursues that shape alone.

[Outro]
The hammer stills; the forge begins to fade,
I lift the iron that the smith has made.
Beyond the rail the darkening waters shine,
A single purpose, and the course is mine.

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[The Scene] With Queequeg recovering from his illness and the coffin made for him remaining unused aboard the Pequod, attention returns to Ahab's relentless pursuit of Moby Dick. At the ship's forge, he oversees the blacksmith fashioning a harpoon intended for the white whale alone. The glow of the furnace and the repeated hammer blows reflect the obsession that has survived Starbuck's objections and the temporary interruption for repairs. While the crew continues its ordinary duties, Ahab concentrates upon the weapon with which he intends to confront his enemy. The finished harpoon gives physical form to his unwavering determination as the Pequod continues her voyage. [Verse 1] I stand beside the forge's crimson glow, And watch the iron redden, bright and slow. Each hammer stroke rings out against the steel, And calls to mind the wound I cannot heal. [Verse 2] The smith knows metal, measure, heat and art, I bring the will that burns within my heart. He knows the shape that makes a weapon true, I know the single work it has to do. [Chorus] Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly, I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky. One white whale moves through waters yet unknown, And all my will pursues that shape alone. [Verse 3] The glowing iron reddens in the heat, I hear the hammer mark its measured beat. The sparks leap high and vanish in the air, I see the white whale though he is not there. [Verse 4] I can command a pause to mend a seam, And still return to that one waking dream. I keep the ship intact to cross the sea, And bring my chosen quarry close to me. [Chorus] Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly, I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky. One white whale moves through waters yet unknown, And all my will pursues that shape alone. [Verse 5] The metal cools; I feel the weighted shaft, A weapon shaped by patient, practised craft. I lift it, testing point and balanced line, And know the hand that hurls it will be mine. [Verse 6] The men may count their barrels in the hold, And reckon every cask in terms of gold. Yet all I hear is iron's heavy sound, A summons to the whale I have not found. [Chorus] Iron for a single purpose, forged to fly, I hear the hammer's thunder climb the sky. One white whale moves through waters yet unknown, And all my will pursues that shape alone. [Outro] The hammer stills; the forge begins to fade, I lift the iron that the smith has made. Beyond the rail the darkening waters shine, A single purpose, and the course is mine.

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