Driving The Last Spike

In the early 1800's, large groups of mainly unskilled labourers built england's railways. the cost in human terms alone was very high...





Leaving my family behind me

Not knowing what lay ahead

Waving goodbye, as i left them in tears

Remembering all we'd said



I looked to the sky, i offered my prayers

I asked him for guidance and strength

But the simple beliefs of a simple man

Lay in his hands, and on my head



I gave everything that they wanted

But still they wanted more

We sweat and we toiled

Good men lost their lives

I don't think they knew what for



I sold them my heart

I sold them my soul

I gave everything i had

Ah but they couldn't break my spirit

My dignity fought back,

Fightback

Can you hear me

Can you see

Don't you hear me

Don't you see



We worked in gangs for all we were worth

The young boys pulling the wagons

We were digging the tunnel, shifting the earth

It was then that it happened.



No-one knew how the cracks appeared

But as it fell they all disappeared

Stone fell like rain



Can you hear me,

Can you see

Don't you hear me

Can you breathe



The smoke cleared, the dust it settled

No one knew how many had died

All around there were broken men

They'd said it was safe, they'd lied

You could hear the cries, you could smell the fear

But good fortune that day was mine

And it occurred to me the heart of a good man

It seems is hard to find.



Can you hear me,

Can you see

Don't you hear me

Don't you see



We worked, how we worked like

The devil for our pay

Through the wind, through the snow,

And through the rain



Blasting and cutting through gods country like a knife

Sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life



Ah but i can hear my childrens' cry

I can see the tears in their eyes

Memories of those i've left behind

Still ringing in my ears

Will i ever go back again

Will i ever see her face again

I'll never forget that night

As they waved goodbye to their fathers



We came from the north,

And we came from the south

With picks and with spades

And a new kind of order

Showing no fear of what lies up ahead

They'll never see the likes of us again



Driving the last spike,

Lifting and laying the track

With blistering hands,

The sun burning your back



Oh but i can hear my childrens' cry

I can see the tears in their eyes

Memories of those i've left behind

Still ringing in my ears

Well i'll always remember that night,

As they waved goodbye to their fathers



We followed the rail, we slept under the stars

Digging in darkness, and living with danger

Showing no fear of what lies up ahead

They'll never see the likes of us again



Can you hear me

Can you see

Don't you hear me

Don't you see


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