The Appleton Bridge in Holyoke has quite a history. Recently, holes were discovered during a state inspection, and the bridge was shut down.  I wrote a song about it called "The Ballad of Appleton Bridge"


(Verse 1)
Oh, gather 'round ye wanderers, from near and far away,
To hear the tale of Appleton, where dreams and waters play.
In Holyoke town, by riverside, where immigrants did roam,
They built their lives with heart and hand, and called this place their home.

(Chorus)
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye stand so tall, over the canal ye stride,
But now your beams are weary, lad, with holes that gape so wide.
Through years of toil and history grand, ye carried folk with pride,
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye'll stand again, by Holyoke's rushing tide.

(Verse 2)
In eighteen hundred and decades past, the Irish came to stay,
With Scots and Poles and many more, they toiled to pave the way.
The mills arose, the waters turned, the city's heart did beat,
And Appleton Bridge, with iron strong, linked lives on every street.

(Chorus)
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye stand so tall, over the canal ye stride,
But now your beams are weary, lad, with holes that gape so wide.
Through years of toil and history grand, ye carried folk with pride,
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye'll stand again, by Holyoke's rushing tide.

(Verse 3)
The Paper City, proud and bold, with factories in their prime,
From Puerto Rico, new hands came, to work and bide their time.
The bridge, it bore their hopes and dreams, their burdens and their load,
O'er canals that powered Holyoke's heart, where stories yet untold.

(Verse 4)
But time's a thief, and rust's a foe, that gnaws at iron and stone,
September's light in twenty-five, the state's decree was shown.
A hole in Girder 3 was found, with concrete fallen free,
They closed her down for safety's sake, oh, mourn her, you and me.

(Chorus)
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye stand so tall, over the canal ye stride,
But now your beams are weary, lad, with holes that gape so wide.
Through years of toil and history grand, ye carried folk with pride,
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye'll stand again, by Holyoke's rushing tide.

(Verse 5)
From Heritage Park to the river's flow, the bridge has seen it all,
The laughter of the children, and the workers' hearty call.
The immigrants who built this town, their spirits linger near,
And Appleton, though wounded now, still holds their memory dear.

(Verse 6)
So raise a glass to Holyoke's heart, to bridges old and strong,
To hands that built her brick by brick, and sang her working song.
We'll mend your beams, old Appleton, your glory shall not fade,
For Holyoke's folk will stand by you, through every choice they've made.

(Chorus)
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye stand so tall, over the canal ye stride,
But now your beams are weary, lad, with holes that gape so wide.
Through years of toil and history grand, ye carried folk with pride,
Oh, Appleton Bridge, ye'll stand again, by Holyoke's rushing tide.

(Outro)
Oh, Appleton, we'll sing your name, through years of joy and pain,
Your story lives in Holyoke's heart, and shall rise up again.

The Ballad of Appleton Bridge

Creator: musician, composer/producer, artist, photographer

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