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
 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 an 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 that 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,
 through the rain

 Blasting, cutting through Gods country like a knife
 sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life

 But I can hear my children cry
 I can see the tears in their eyes
 memories of those I've lft behind
 still ringing in my ears
 Will I ever go back again
 Will I ever see her face again
 I'll never forget the night
 As they waved goodbye to their fathers

 We came from the South,
 we came from the North
 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

 But I can hear my children cry
 I can see the tears in their eyes
 memories of those I've lft behind
 still ringing in my ears
 I will always remember that night,
 As they waved goodbye to their fathers

 We followed the rail, we slept under the stars
 digging in darkness, living with danger
 showing no fear of what lies up ahead
 they'll never see the likes of us again