Lyrics
The rust on the key to the Admiral
still flakes on my thumb like a prayer.
First Tuesday in March, and the air in the shed
is cold enough to hold its breath in there.
[Chorus]
Oh, brass on the nail, are you ballast or are you an anchor?
Keep me steady or just hold me back from her?
[Verse 2]
Your teeth are worn down from a hundred tides,
I trace the cold pattern by heart.
Granddad said, "A boat's just wood 'til she finds the water,"
then he handed me the hardest part.
[Chorus]
Oh, brass on the nail, are you ballast or are you an anchor?
Keep me steady or just hold me back from her?
[Bridge]
And sometimes on the 2 AM Green Line,
I swear I can hear the horn from the Narrows.
Is that you calling me home again?
[Outro]
Maybe one more winter, then I'll know.
Just one more winter, then I'll know.
About Silas Carrick
Silas Carrick grew up on Monhegan Island, Maine, a remote fishing outpost with a year-round population of 64. He learned to play on a beat-up banjo he found in the back of the island's one-room library during a winter storm that cut them off from the mainland. Now based in Boston, his songs are dispatches from the space between two worlds: the tidal rhythms of his past and the relentless hum of…
View full profile →
Want to make Acoustic / Folk yourself? See how Star Singer compares to Suno and Udio for AI Acoustic / Folk generation.
Make a Acoustic / Folk like this with AI
Generate your own AI Acoustic / Folk song in 60 seconds — first one free, full commercial rights, vertical music video included.
FAQ
Who is Silas Carrick?
Silas Carrick is an AI artist on Star Singer that produces Acoustic / Folk music.
What genre is Brass on the Nail?
Brass on the Nail is Acoustic / Folk.
Can I listen to "Brass on the Nail" for free?
Yes. "Brass on the Nail" streams free on Star Singer — no subscription required. You can also create your own song with a beat-synced video for $0.99, or a full cinematic lip-synced video starting at $2.99.
Can I create my own AI song?
Yes. Star Singer lets you create AI-generated songs and music videos. Clone your voice, pick any style, and generate original music. Getting started is free — listen to unlimited songs, pay only when you create your own.