"Iron That Never Crossed the Sea” (Duet Version)

Verse 1] Forged in fire, Pennsylvania steel, Nineteen-seventeen, war made her real, Orders stamped in a foreign tongue, For a distant land she’d never run. Broad and strong with a soldier’s frame, Built for hardship, built for flame, A thousand sisters, same design— To serve a war across the line. [Pre-Chorus] But oceans closed and borders burned, and fate took a turn she never earned… [Chorus] She was meant for the snow of a far-off fight, through Russian rails in the dead of night, but history called and changed her track, and she never, no never went back. Steel and steam with a story untold, A war-built heart that never grew old, She stayed where the rivers run slow— The iron that never crossed the snow. [Verse 2] The war moved on, the need was gone, but she was here, so she carried on, Frisco lines beneath her wheels, Haulin’ freight through the Ozark hills. Coal dust skies and whistle cries, Midwest sunsets in her eyes, from Tulsa yards to Missouri rain, she learned the rhythm of a different name. [Pre-Chorus] No soldier’s march, no battle scar, but every mile still made her who she is— [Chorus] She was meant for the snow of a far-off fight, through Russian rails in the dead of night, but history called and changed her track, and she never, no never went back. Steel and steam with a story untold, A war-built heart that never grew old, She stayed where the rivers run slow— The iron that never crossed the snow. [Bridge] Years rolled by like a fading song, Diesels came and she didn’t belong, Set aside where the grasses grow, Silent now where the cold winds blow. Belton skies, she stood alone, Paint worn thin, rust in her bones, Children climbed where fire once roared— A ghost of the age she once outpoured. [Soft Break – Snowy] “I see you… Not as you are now… but as you were meant to be. You weren’t forgotten… just waiting. Waiting for someone to remember your story…Come on… let’s bring you home.” [Verse 3] One set of eyes saw past the years, past the rust and forgotten tears, A voice she’d never known before—Snowy called, and she felt the roar. Back to life on a different line, North Western & Missouri Pacific time, not for war, but something more— A second chance she’d waited for. [Build-Up – Snowy]“ You were built for war… But you don’t have to be anymore. You’ve carried enough… Now you’ll carry something better.” [Final Chorus] She was meant for the snow of a far-off fight, but found her home in a softer light, Through every mile and every track, she finally found her way back. Steel and steam, now reborn in gold, A living tale that’s still being told, From war untaken to rails that glow— She’s the iron that never crossed the snow. [Outro – Snowy (soft, almost a whisper)]“ You’re not a relic… You’re part of us now. Welcome back… 1632.” [Final Note – sung] So let her whistle tell it clear, Through every mile she’s still right here, not lost to time, not left behind— Just waiting for the right railroad… to find.