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They Just Don’t Build Bridges Like They Used To - Heather L. Preston 2022
(use the Em alternative shown in line 3 around every second or third verse...!)
G C D G
Twenty thousand years ago there was a land bridge, when ice upon the continents did lie
And people took their working dogs across it, spreading through the-Americas by and by
They [Em] hunted and they traveled though Ber[G]ingia, and [D] up and down the coasts that were ice-[G]free
Eight thousand years from then, the waters rose again, and the Bering wasn’t what it used to be!
G C D G twice
Oh they just don’t build bridges like they used to
When glaciers melt, low-lying lands get hid
No, they just don’t build bridges like they used to
And I’m star-ting to think they never did!
G C D G
The Romans they built the Pons Fabricius, / ‘way back in 62 BC(E)
It carries traffic still across its arches, and never fell, which just impresses me!
800 years before in Smyrna, Turkey, the Ker-van Koprusu spread its arch
With traffic every day, it doesn’t even sway, don’t bother breaking step when on the march!
G C D G twice
Oh they just don’t build bridges like they used to
They built it fast and well, as Senate bid
No, they just don’t build bridges like they used to
It’s been near 2000 years now since they did!
G C D G
In 1806 Ponte das Barcas was an engineering marvel of Porto
They linked up - some 20 boats with cables, and across the Douro River they would go!
But in three years, along came old Napoleon, attacking that city, on a spree
And 4000 drowned when that bridge went down, / overloaded when they tried to flee
CH: : G C D G twice
Oh they just don’t build bridges like they used to
They built it fast and used the lowest bid
No, they just don’t build bridges like they used to
And I’m star-ting to think they never did!
G C D G
In 1845 out in Great Yarmouth, a fine suspension bridge was hung on chains
Then a circus clown came drifting in a washtub, the onlookers all started changing lanes
They’d crowded to one rail to watch him coming, then to the other side they’d quickly zoom
So as he doffed his cap, the well-torqued chains did snap, and those upon that bridge then met their doom CH
G C D G
On an iron suspension bridge in 1850, the storm winds lashed 500 troops in France,
Across the Pont Basse-Chaine and through that windstorm, they marched along, the bridge did sway and dance
They tried to stagger step but with the swaying, they found themselves too often still in sync
The resonance’ driving power collapsed one iron tower, and half the troops were drownded in the drink.
CH: G C D G twice
Oh they just don’t build bridges like they used to
They built it fast and used the lowest bid
No, they just don’t build bridges like they used to
And I’m star-ting to think they never did!
G C D G
The bridge that once spanned Tacoma Narrows was built upon an elegant new design
They opened Galloping Gert in 1940, and hoped that in the winds she’d do just fine!
But only four short months into her service, on a windy, bright and fine November day
The drivers left their cars, and fled those bucking spars, as the oscillations carried Gert away! CH
G C D G
When Kirk-said they could detach the saucer section, the crew were all relieved that he did not
But in TNG it was easily accomplished, which would have given hives to Mr. Scott!
Way back in the old starship Discovery, they’d sported tech advanced beyond Kirk’s ken,
But only ten years on, those high-tech toys were gone: no “normal” bridge-detaching saucers then! CH
G C D G
When they said “write a song on building bridges,” I thought of friendship, music, teeth and pool
[humming a non-bridge for 2.5 lines] – bridges can be cruel! CH
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Got more verses but this is getting ridiculous… H