Pontius Pilate came to our town

Up to the dockyards to see the picket line

We asked him to help but he just turned around

He's the leader of the union now

Leader of the union, all of our questions he ignored

He washed his hands and he dreamt of his reward

A seat in the House Of Lords



One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out



We live for words and die for words, principles we can afford

When all our Brothers turn to Lords, whose side are you on?

You tell the world your hands are tied, history three times denied

A sea of changes three miles wide, whose side are you on?



One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out



This conspiracy of shame, murder by some other name

Play up and play the game, whose side are you on?

If any ask us why we died, we tell them that our leaders lied

Sold us out down the riverside, whose side are you on?



One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out



One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out

One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out

One by one the ships come sailing in

One by one the ships go sailing out