Willamette Shipyard Blues

after Langston Hughes

I was lost when they let me out
Just my welding gun
Lost when they let me out
Just my welding gun
So I went down to the shipyard
Where it all began

Oh they pay me well
I make a small fortune
Yes they pay me well
I make a fortune
And every other Friday
Meet the surgeon


See the sparks all crazy
Where I arc the hull
Yes the sparks all crazy
Where I arc the hull
One day I’m gonna turn this light
Against my skull


Read on . . .


This is a premium subscription story. Please make a $4 donation to access the individual story or a $60 donation to access all the stories in Narrative Backstage for a period of one year.

If you are already a user, but not yet logged in, you may login here.
If you are new to Narrative, signing up is FREE and easy.