Engines Start Below

Verse 1

Misty spring morning, the harbor delights

Carriages rattling, port bustling bright

Vendors call pastries, the pigeons all flock

Excitement and rumor roll over the docks

Disco Bob in his bowler, mismatched to the day

Hands tucked in pockets, he laughs anyway

A phonograph’s playing an upbeat parade

The salt in the air, adventure’s parade

Pre-Chorus

Passengers gather as tickets are weighed

Eyes shining new at the journey they’ve paid

Chorus

I can see the Titanic down at Southampton Docks

Steam’s a-rising and the timekeeper knocks

All the bustle and chatter, as the cargo gets stacked

Engines and pistons are starting, down in the black

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, wave them handkerchiefs high

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Verse 2

Gentlemen tip hats, ladies adjust gowns

Newsboys and porters weaving up and down

Down below decks, machinery’s alive

Dreams of tomorrow and hopes that survive

Pre-Chorus

Crowds all gather as the bell starts its ring

Wind on the water and seagulls that sing

Chorus

I can see the Titanic down at Southampton Docks

Steam’s a-rising and the timekeeper knocks

All the bustle and chatter, as the cargo gets stacked

Engines and pistons are starting, down in the black

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, wave them handkerchiefs high

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Verse 3

Sailors line rails, cap in their fists

Brass bands are playing, can’t help but resist

Disco Bob’s on the gangway, shoes far too bright

Says he’s here for the journey—what a curious sight

Pre-Chorus

Waves slap the hull as the anchor lets go

Bob hums a strange tune nobody knows

Chorus

I can see the Titanic down at Southampton Docks

Steam’s a-rising and the timekeeper knocks

All the bustle and chatter, as the cargo gets stacked

Engines and pistons are starting, down in the black

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, wave them handkerchiefs high

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Verse 4

Children are laughing, tossing their hoops

Porters haul trunks for adventurous groups

One last goodbye from a tear-streaked crowd

Disco Bob grins, feeling oddly proud

Pre-Chorus

A whistle is calling, the deckhands in line

The journey beginning with hope and good time

Chorus

I can see the Titanic down at Southampton Docks

Steam’s a-rising and the timekeeper knocks

All the bustle and chatter, as the cargo gets stacked

Engines and pistons are starting, down in the black

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, wave them handkerchiefs high

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Outro

Farewell to the harbor and all that we know

Adventure is calling, it’s time we must go

Disco Bob winks as the future draws near

On deck with the

Epilogue

Fog on the water, distant bells chime

Disco Bob dances, out of place out of time

A flash of his sneakers, a wink to the past

Titanic steams on, her shadow is cast

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, waving dreams in the sky

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Outro Reprise

As Southampton disappears, and adventure begins

The future and history, both stitched in their skins

Disco Bob laughing, tomorrow and then—

On board the Titanic, again and again

Final Verse

A shuffle of feet as the stars start to show

Laughter and rumors in lantern-lit glow

Disco Bob spinning, a step out of place

History’s echo on every face

Pre-Chorus

A gramophone croons as the night paints the sea

Past and tomorrow twirl crazily

Chorus

I can see the Titanic down at Southampton Docks

Steam’s a-rising and the timekeeper knocks

All the bustle and chatter, as the cargo gets stacked

Engines and pistons are starting, down in the black

Post-Chorus

Oh we’re bound for America, wishing dreams won’t run dry

Oh la la la la, so long, goodbye

Final Outro

Under a pale moon, the old ship sails on

Disco Bob waving, till he is gone

Night folds around, as memories spin

Titanic and future, both sailing within