THE LONG DOCK'S END
From today's sessions: another slow jazz-infused, film-noir-style song--fourth track--created for THE RED NIGHT.
Songs developed for this soundtrack will go through further post-production and arrangement (song sequencing) for the album.
THE LONG DOCK’S END
(c) 2025 Dennis M. Lowery
The lyrics are below…
The 'WHAT IF?' Creation of THE RED NIGHT
‘What if?’ is a two-word question that can drive imagination.
[Verse 1]
The safest time…
before the dawn.
Sea wind’s sigh…
Only gulls…
hear my song.
[Verse 2]
Freighters came…
from where
I’ll never go,
places they’ve been,
I’ll never know.
In the dark,
my tears…
none ever see…
trapped in this time
… I'll never be free….
[Chorus]
My father's… song…
I’d come to sing,
--- of loss and hope,
so many things.
Nights so long…
I can't escape,
a long… long dark,
no dawn to break.
[VERSE 3]
The long dock ends,
a rusty hull steep,
lines and coiled rope,
tangled at my feet….
The moment’s stillness…
… fathom's deep.
[Bridge]
I stopped and listened,
echoes in the air…
steps from someone…
who shouldn't be there…
[Verse 4]
Crouching low,
I leaned to see,
a woman walks
where she
shouldn’t be.
In dim-lit glow,
she’s out of place…
Frown on her lips,
no fear on her face.
A shadow’s shape
with a dancer’s glide…
moved close to her…
and seemed…
surprised.
[Chorus]
My father's… song…
I’d come to sing,
of loss and hope,
so many things….
Nights so long…
I can't escape,
a long… long dark…
no dawn to break.
[Verse 5]
No hesitation…
without a scream,
her hand raised
with a pistol’s gleam.
Before she fired…
a long arm scythed.
A bright blade slashed,
… with a crimson tide…
The gulls above…
—and only I—
At the long dock’s end…
heard her gasp…
and… heard her… die.
[Verse 6]
The sun was rising…
the man long gone.
Could wait no longer,
… turned my eyes…
I moved on…
Shaking finger dialed…
my heart in a stall.
Let it go... let it pass…
—don’t get involved
… at all.
Heart wouldn’t let me,
I called at last…
to my regret…
… the past's… never past…
[Verse 7]
Back at the pier,
… I sat to wait….
Finally saw the man,
his shamble, a lurching gait…
A heavy cane’s lean,
…face tired and grim,
he flashed a badge,
“You called it in?”
I took him to her…
He checked the scene,
wrote a note…
then covered her…
with his coat.
[Verse 8]
To all his questions…
I gave him lies.
Didn’t know her…
Didn’t see her… die.
Shrewd eyes on me.
He gripped his cane…
His hard stare doubt…
as it began to rain.
[Chorus]
Nights so long,
I can't escape,
a long… long dark,
no dawn to break.
[Outro]
Returned his look,
he turned away….
The moment fades…
Into another day…
Later on… in early dusk…
First airships thrummed…
and searchlights thrust.
Nights so long,
I can't escape,
a long… long dark,
no dawn to break.
A long... long.... dark...
no dawn...
... to break...
(c) 2025 Dennis M. Lowery
