Lighthouse Keeper: Lyrics and the Story Behind the Song
I homeschooled my two boys when they were little. As homeschoolers, we followed our own interests in the subjects that we studied. One of those interests was lighthouses.
I wondered, . . . what if I wrote a song and taught it to the boys? Would they sing along and not even notice we were doing “school?” Yep. This is how and why I began writing songs: to teach my children.
We learned all about the daily life and tasks of three female lighthouse keepers: Abbie Burgess, Ida Lewis, and Katherine "Katie" Walker. And, then, we set out to experience being lighthouse keepers, ourselves, when we became the caretakers of the Rose Island Lighthouse off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. You can read all about our adventures over here on The Keepers Log.
Song Lyrics
I will never leave the sea
She's been good to me
I've made a life here on this ledge
In a lighthouse on the edge
Toss my net out on a wave
Reel in what Neptune gave
Light a fire on the rocks
Gather driftwood for the box
Chorus
I am a lighthouse keeper
And I live alone
I will walk these steps
And work these hands to the bone
Polishing the glass
Polishing the glass
Keep the brass bells shining bright
Trim the wicks and oil the lights
Warn the tall ships to steer clear
If the storm clouds should appear
Chorus
I am a lighthouse keeper
And I live alone
I will walk these steps
And work these hands to the bone
Polishing the glass
Polishing the glass
I am rising with the tide
I am going with the flow
I am turning like a gear
I could scream but no one would hear me
Chorus
I am a lighthouse keeper
And I live alone
I will walk these steps
And work these hands to the bone
Polishing the glass
Polishing the glass
Song Credits
Holly Hanson: vocals, Rhodes piano
Steve Hayes: background vocals, acoustic guitar, Nashville-tuned guitar, xylophone
Sven Larson: upright bass
Zeke Martin: percussion
© 2011 Wild Braid Music (BMI)
Lighthouse Keeper appears on the album Strawberry Moon by Neptune's Car.
Video Credits
An original song written by Holly Hanson. Performed by Neptune's Car (Holly Hanson and Steve Hayes). http://www.NeptunesCar.com
Directed and filmed by Jeremy D'Entremont. http://www.lighthouse.cc
Location: The Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Great Island Common (aka New Castle Beach) in New Castle, New Hampshire. http://www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org/
Filmed on: October 22, 2011
Video Credit Line
“Lighthouse Keeper” | Written by Holly Hanson. © 2011 by Wild Braid Music (BMI). Performed by Neptune’s Car. Courtesy of Wild Braid Music. All rights reserved.