A Debt In Brass

[Verse 1]
The mailman left a kill shot from First National Bank today.
Same pale blue envelope they use to tell you what you owe and what to pay.
Except this one just had one line, a balance reading zero.
I guess that makes me the last man standing, makes me the damn hero.

[Chorus]
So I take out your calipers, the steel is cold and stark.
Wipe away the filings, every pressure-treated mark.
Got the deed in the drawer now, Danny, the papers say we're clear.
It's just a damn quiet victory this year.

[Verse 2]
I remember the day you gave 'em to me, down at the number three line.
The smell of cutting oil was thick, your handprint laid on mine.
You said, "Measure twice, kid, this world only lets you cut once."
Then you bought us both a shot of Kessler at the bar for lunch.

[Chorus]
And I take out your calipers, the steel is cold and stark.
Wipe away the filings, every pressure-treated mark.
Got the deed in the drawer now, Danny, the papers say we're clear.
It's just a damn quiet victory this year.

[Bridge]
They put your name on a plaque down at the union hall in town.
I drive by it on my way to work when the sun is going down.
It's a debt paid off in brass plate, already starting to rust.
(is that all is that all is that all that's left of us?)

[Outro]
The calipers shine under the porch light. It's four AM.
Yeah, we're finally free, Dan.