Smoke on the Water

Smoke on the Water

Can you not see

            that the wisps of mist

                        and bank of fog

                                    is smoke on the water

            trailing from a crowded ship

                        aflame and spewing smoke

                                    across the heaving sea

            where packed lifeboats be adrift

                        amidst shards of ice

                                    and towering bergs

Can you not hear

            that the ominous tune the orchestra's

                        playing be not for dancing

                                    but is beseeching God

            and those shouting by the rails

                        stand not gaily waving

                                    but are calling for help

            to those who look from afar

                        wanting only mist and fog

                                    but never smoke on the water

Can you not understand

            it's we who stand clutching the rail

                        of our ship on fire with bow

rising up and stern sinking

            beneath the billowing smoke

                        and not the trailing mist

                                    or bank of fog on the water

            where there be no more room

                        on jam-packed lifeboats

                                    bobbing among the fatal ice

Can you not fathom

            there is just no safety

                        in trailing mist and heavy fog

                                    when bitter smoke on the water

            swirls over half-sunk boats

                        and chokes those screaming at the rails

                                    as doomed orchestra plays a sad lament

            but that salvation lies

                        in all hands helping

                                    man the pumps

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