Stuck In a lift

The lift shuddered to a stop in a New York high-rise,
a pregnant pause formed when conversation dies;
the population increases during power cuts, no brakes,
as tho' a magic wand signals going like rattlesnakes.

In our lift there was a lawyer, doctor and dentist,
the dentist was pushing buttons looking at the list,
suddenly it sprang to life, doors opened at a floor,
beyond were mountain streams with mist around Shenandoah.

The Oneida chief stood in a canoe paddling along, 
so this was where we all heard the famous song;
someone said: 'We long to see you, cross the wide Missouri,'
the chief said: 'Which of you wishes to marry my daughter?'

The dentist was led away as the lift doors shut again,
never to be seen alive, the number on the floor selector was 1845.