Hold the Line

[Intro] [fiddle melody, accordion, acoustic guitar strumming] [full band enters with distorted electric guitar and driving drums] [Verse 1] [gritty baritone male vocals] Smoke crawls up the beams tonight through the snug in the old brown door Mick kicks back the cellar latch and the whole crowd grabs for more Barrels rolling, glasses shaking, Usquebaugh would flow Get the pails, get the pails, we ain't done here yet There's a siren down the road, no red lights on the bend Just a dozen stubborn hands and a prayer to hold the end [Chorus] [group vocals, anthemic] Hold the line, hold the line, save the pint, save the sign Hold the line, hold the line, we'll keep this whole place alive Hold the line, hold the line, till the smoke is way to light Hold the line, hold the line, this pub is ours tonight [Instrumental Break] [fiddle solo with fast sixteenth notes, accordion backing, heavy drum beat] [Verse 2] Bridget hurls the ash out back, Sean drags the kegs from the wall Tommy cuts the black tap loose and the whole room starts to call Buckets from the washroom sink, coats over flame and crack Every lad with sleeves rolled high, ain't nobody stepping back Hear the roof groan overhead, hear the timber moan and sing If the ceiling wants to fall, we'll be standing in the rain [Chorus] Hold the line, hold the line, save the pint, save the sign Hold the line, hold the line, we'll keep this whole place alive Hold the line, hold the line, till the smoke is way to light Hold the line, hold the line, this pub is ours tonight [Instrumental Break] [fiddle and accordion lead, distorted guitar power chords] [Bridge] [drums drop to half-time, bass-heavy] One last push through cinder air, one last run for the back door If the old oak takes the heat, we'll still fight for what we swore And if dawn finds only walls, let it know we stood our ground With our hands black, hearts loud, and the whole town gathered 'round [Chorus] [building intensity] Hold the line, hold the line (hey!) Hold the line, hold the line (hey!) We'll keep this whole place alive Hold the line, hold the line, hold the line This pub is ours tonight [Chorus] Hold the line, hold the line, save the pint, save the sign Hold the line, hold the line, we'll keep this whole place alive Hold the line, hold the line, till the smoke is way to light Hold the line, hold the line, this pub is ours tonight [Outro] [full band crescendo] So raise it up and let it go, from the floorboards to the door We fought the fire, fought the fear, and the lads came back for more Hold the line! [final crash cymbal and fiddle flourish]