(Verse 1) Dawn breaks over the Seattle docks, fog rollin' off the Sound I’m a casual longshoreman, boots laced tight, waitin' to be called around Union hall coffee tastes like rust, dispatch board you better peg They need bodies for the Hoot owl shift, swing that crane till you’re half-dead I got my hard hat, my gloves, my hook One more shift, one more load to book The hours race is on tonight, clock’s tickin' loud and mean Every extra hour puts food on the table, keeps the wolves from the door screen (Chorus) One more hour, one more hour Push through the pain, feel the power Containers swingin' in the rain, back breakin' but I stay One more hour, one more hour Casual life on the bay I’ll take whatever they throw my way (Verse 2) Forklift beepin', horns a-blarin', salt wind cuts like a knife I’m haulin' steel from the belly of a ship that’s older than my life Boss man yells “Double time, boys!” when the storm starts to hit We’re racin' the tide and the union rules, tryin' not to call it quits Sweat in my eyes, knees on fire, but the paystub’s callin' my name Casual card in my pocket, prayin' they don’t send me home again The hours race ain’t for the weak, it’s a marathon in the dark One more hour might mean Christmas lights or fixin' up the car (Chorus) One more hour, one more hour Push through the pain, feel the power Containers swingin' in the rain, back breakin' but I stay One more hour, one more hour Casual life on the bay I’ll take whatever they throw my way (Bridge) Midnight comes, the Hoot owl howls, another vessel at the pier They’re callin' names, I step on up, swallow every doubt and fear My wife’s at home with the little ones, dreamin' of steady pay So I grip that hook a little tighter, turn another hour into another day (Verse 3) Sun’s creepin' up as the shift winds down, body screamin' let me go But the dispatch board still flickers hope for one more load to tow I’m a longshoreman casual, livin' on the edge of the line Racin' the clock for every dime, holdin' onto what is mine (Chorus – Final) One more hour, one more hour I made it through, felt the power Containers quiet in the dawn, back achin' but I’m free One more hour, one more hour Casual king of the sea I’ll be back when they call for me… one more hour. (Outro – spoken over fading guitar) Yeah… one more hour. For the family. For the rent. For the dream that tomorrow might finally turn steady. Longshoreman casual… still in the race.
