Lighthouse Keeper: A Folk Song Inspired by Three Women Lighthouse Keepers

“Lighthouse Keeper” is my song about the daily life and work of a lighthouse keeper. The keeper who sings it is a blend of three real women: Abbie Burgess, Ida Lewis, and Katherine “Katie” Walker.

In September 2010, “Lighthouse Keeper” was the #1 song on the FOLK-DJ chart. That month, the album Strawberry Moon was #4 and Neptune’s Car was the #7 artist.

Watch “Lighthouse Keeper” by Neptune’s Car, filmed at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire.

Watch the video on its own page →

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, from March 27 to April 3, 2011. You can read all about our adventures over here on The Keepers Log.

Singing It with Students in Maine

Proud moment. On May 1, 2013, Neptune’s Car accompanied the first- and second-grade students at an elementary school on the coast of Maine as they sang “Lighthouse Keeper” in their Spring Concert.

The children had made up hand motions to go with the words, much like hula dancers do.

Filmed at Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Jeremy D’Entremont directed and filmed the music video on October 22, 2011, at the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse and Great Island Common (aka New Castle Beach) in New Castle, New Hampshire.

Take the Song Home

Add “Lighthouse Keeper” to your playlist.

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

Credits

  • Holly Hanson: vocals, Rhodes piano

  • Steve Hayes: background vocals, acoustic guitar, Nashville-tuned guitar, xylophone

  • Sven Larson: upright bass

  • Zeke Martin: percussion

Written by Holly Hanson. © 2011 Wild Braid Music (BMI). All rights reserved. From the album Strawberry Moon by Neptune's Car.

Video directed and filmed by Jeremy D'Entremont (New England Lighthouses: A Virtual Guide) at the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, New Castle, New Hampshire, 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.

For DJs & Programmers

Genre
Contemporary Folk; Singer-Songwriter
Summary
A lighthouse keeper sings about her daily work tending the light alone on a ledge by the sea. The keeper is a blend of three real women keepers: Abbie Burgess, Ida Lewis, and Katie Walker.
Themes
lighthouses, lighthouse keepers, women's history, the sea, solitude, hard work
Length
00:03:02
Content
Clean
Previously aired
#1 song on the FOLK-DJ chart, September 2010 (that month the album Strawberry Moon was #4 and Neptune's Car was the #7 artist)
Album
Strawberry Moon
Contact Us
Holly Hanson and Steve Hayes

More Lighthouse Songs

For another lighthouse song, try Flashing in the Dark (Rose Island Lighthouse), or hear the whole Strawberry Moon album.

Strawberry MoonHolly Hansonlighthouse songs, lighthouse keepers, women's history, Abbie Burgess, Ida Lewis, Katie Walker, Rose Island Lighthouse, Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, New Hampshire, folk, Strawberry MoonComment