The Wizard - Tom McGhee

There's a song in that man and I can hear it singing

When we meet on the street the sound surrounds him like a bell that is ringing

so clear and so sweet

so clear and so sweet.

The man's an artist you can hear them say
With a reputation that's here to stay
Along the waterfront they know his name
From engineer to longshore what they say is the same.

Grand Colombia sank in Yokohama back in '73 raised her up
and towed her back to homeport
to a berth 'cross the sea
to a berth 'cross the sea.

And on the docks no one could start her engines
Though they worked night and day
They called the wizard in to do his magic
He coaxed it and he teased 'till she'd something to say.

[Refrain]
He's a wizard, he's a genius
And his work is his play
By the glare of the arc in the heat and the spark he finds his own way.
Better leave him alone and the job will be done in the best possible way.
He's a wizard, he's a genius
He's got something to say.

Designed a submarine to sell to the government
Big money deal from the start.
Built it in Brooklyn
And received the patent
And it still sits in the yards.
It's still down in the yards.

He was no businessman, that wasn't his style
And the deal fell through though he was offered a pile.
But when the torch is burning the man is a master
And everybody knows him as his days slip by faster.

Gut on the bay Joe does his fishin'
Waits for a tug on the line
Blues and flounder he cooks in his kitchen
As he passes his time
As he passes his time.

[Repeat 2nd verse and refrain]

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