I Can't Turn It Off

from Uncharted Waters by T.C. Elliott

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about

This title is from the songfight.org songwriting challenge.
The story is taken from the Val di Strava dam collapse in Italy back in the '80's.

Written December 2020

lyrics

The water flows on and on
Down to the end of the street
AI try and try to turn the valve
I guess I'm too damn weak

Though the dam has held for years
The equipment is rusted and old
They say it's scheduled to be replaced
At least that's what I'm told

And the water starts to pour
The walls can't take it anymore
And I can't turn it off

I feel the stress under the weight
The moorings groan, the waters rage
And I can't turn it off

Thousands of people in their homes
Don't know what to expect
I pull the cord, sound the alarm
But they think it's just a test

The dam was built in '69
For years it has kept us all safe
But soon there will be nothing left
As the dam continues to break

And the water starts to pour
The walls can't take it anymore
And I can't turn it off

I feel the stress under the weight
The moorings groan, the waters rage
And I can't turn it off

I can't turn it off
I can't turn it off

credits

from Uncharted Waters, released June 2, 2021
T.C. Elliott wrote, recorded, mixed, produced and released this track.

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about

T.C. Elliott Columbia, Missouri

If Neil Young and The Holy Modal Rounders had a litter of baby songwriters then T.C. Elliott would be the runt of the litter.

T.C. has written over 1100 songs and at least one of them doesn't suck.

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