Over dale and over hills

I'll take you through the cotton mills

To the ginnels where we played

And where are friendships all were made



Still they came and tore them down

And now we live in Anytown

They came and tore it down

And now this place could be Anytown



Can't forget and won't forgive

The places we've been forced to live

Sticks and stones may break my bones

But rather that than live alone



For they came and tore it down

And now we live in Anytown

They came and tore it down

And now this place could be Anytown



Rags to riches, that's a lie

For some things money just can't buy

Thicker than water blood may be

And comfort still brings misery



For they came and tore it down

And now we live in Anytown

They came and tore it down

And now this place could be Anytown



They took the heart when they ripped it down

And in its place sent Anytown



Summer in the driving rain

I can hear the Oldham train.