Written by John Hovorka and originally released by The 2x4s in 1980.

I want to hear the sound of the bridgeport lathe 
it's metal-to-metal; it really is 
your basic, ordinary men, they work at Bendon Gear 
cos the screech of shearing metal is a-what they wanna hear 

foxy secretaries make a point of passing through the plant 
and they know you want them to show it all 
but you just might get your arm torn off 
if you look up for too long from your Blanchard Grind-All 

I've worked the Bessemer Converters out on Cheektowaga Plains 
I've even done third shift on antiquated screw machines 
I'd even rather work at slaughterhouses in Niagara Falls 
but Bridgeport Lathe has-uh got me by the balls 

There's no time to sneak a cigarette or read a novel by Ayn Rand 
and you don't have to do container work to get canned 
the bossman he is staring at the men, he's always near 
cos the screech of shearing metal is a-what he’s paid to hear 

I want to hear the sound of the bridgeport lathe 
it's metal-to-metal; it really is 
your basic, ordinary men, they work at Benton Gear 
cos the screech of shearing metal is a-what they're gonna hear 

I've worked the Bessemer Converters out on Cheektowaga Plains 
I've even done third shift on antiquated screw machines 
I'd even rather work at slaughterhouses in Niagara Falls 
but Bridgeport Lathe has-uh got me by the balls

Bridgeport Lathe

It’s been years now;
I’m calling off the search for myself.
I think I'm comfortable with "uneasy"
Is there something that could teach me?

I’ve heard perspective comes in handy,
but I'm not sure from where I’m standing

'Cause I’m still sick with passions and inaction,
Experiments in loss studied and practiced.
Self-aware,
but not too cool to care.

And I feel ill trading toxins for talking.
Wrestling with doubt,
well, it's all about shadowboxing.

So don’t come a-knocking,
this boy is up rocking,
arms around his knees
on a bare mattress/boxspring

Rode home too high
shouting “I Hate Myself and I Wanna Die”

bentshapes

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