The Fireman

He was a young and lean fire cadet
Washing Engine 5 on the day they met
She was bartending in Boston or thereabouts
She said yea, ok, let’s go out
He took her back home and turned on the wit
Opened some wine by the fire pit
She said, “You love to put those fires out, I know
But you’ve also got a knack for lettin’ the fire go”

Light it up, keep it under control
Life ain’t always just an easy stroll
Fire it up, don’t let it take a toll
You ain’t got nothing without a fire in your soul 

Went on a hundred dates in a hundred days
Drove Engine 5 at nights to any blaze
After each call, he polished the chrome
Gave her a kiss good morning when he got home
At the volcano, Hawaii’s Big Island
He put a ring on her finger that held a big diamond
She said, “You love to put those fires out, I know
But you’ve also got a knack for lettin’ the fire go”

Light it up, keep it under control
Life ain’t always just an easy stroll
Fire it up, don’t let it take a toll
You ain’t got nothing without a fire in your soul

They had four kids when he became the chief
The mob rolled into town behind the king of thieves
There was killing and drugs, nothing but bad vibes
Most of the cops were taking heavy bribes
He looked at her, said, “Whatcha think I should do?”
She said, “Baby, I know, but you know too
You love to put those fires out, I know
But you’ve also got a knack for lettin’ the fire go”

This is fire dispatch – several houses alight
But Engine 5 has a problem tonight
This is fire dispatch – we’re losing, it’s a first
Engines from the next town have been dispersed

Light it up, keep it under control
Life ain’t always just an easy stroll
Fire it up, don’t let it take a toll
You ain’t got nothing without a fire in your soul 

Engine 5 was fixed as the sun came up
Made the guys some joe and poured himself a cup
Washed that truck and polished the chrome
Gave her a kiss good morning when he got home

Fire it up
Fire it up
She said, “Don’t let it take a toll
You ain’t got nothing without a fire in your soul”

CREDITS:

Lyrics: Terry Breakman
Music: Terry Breakman and Tracy Walton
Vocals: Jeff Przech and Laurie MacAllister
Guitar: Tracy Walton
Saxophone: Chip Fenney
Engineer: Tracy Walton
Producer: Terry Breakman

©2026 Terry Breakman