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 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
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