| [00:26.54] | Leaving my family behind me |
| [00:32.49] | not knowing what lay ahead |
| [00:37.49] | waving goodbye, as I left them in tears |
| [00:43.19] | remembering all we'd said |
| [00:47.39] | I looked to the sky, I offered my prayers |
| [00:53.69] | I asked Him for guidance and strength |
| [00:58.74] | but the simple beliefs of a simple man |
| [01:04.99] | lay in His hands, and on my head |
| [01:19.49] | I gave everything that they wanted |
| [01:25.54] | but still they wanted more |
| [01:30.59] | we sweat and we toiled |
| [01:33.44] | good men lost their lives |
| [01:36.24] | I don't think they knew what for |
| [01:40.44] | I sold them my heart |
| [01:43.64] | I sold them my soul |
| [01:46.49] | I gave everything I had |
| [01:50.94] | ah but they couldn't break my spirit |
| [01:57.19] | my dignity fought back, |
| [02:00.59] | fightback |
| [02:03.49] | can you hear me |
| [02:06.49] | can you see |
| [02:09.49] | Don't you hear me |
| [02:12.44] | don't you see |
| [02:15.54] | We worked in gangs for all we were worth |
| [02:21.04] | the young boys pulling the wagons |
| [02:25.99] | we were digging the tunnel, shifting the earth |
| [02:32.09] | it was then that it happened. |
| [02:36.49] | No-one knew how the cracks appeared |
| [02:42.59] | but as it fell they all disappeared |
| [02:47.69] | stone fell like rain |
| [02:50.79] | Can you hear me, |
| [02:53.79] | Can you see |
| [02:56.84] | Don't you hear me |
| [02:59.74] | Can you breathe |
| [03:02.89] | The smoke cleared, the dust it settled |
| [03:08.54] | No one knew how many had died |
| [03:13.69] | all around there were broken men |
| [03:19.19] | they'd said it was safe, they'd lied |
| [03:23.74] | you could hear the cries, you could smell the fear |
| [03:29.44] | but good fortune that day was mine |
| [03:34.59] | and it occurred to me the heart of a good man |
| [03:40.79] | it seems is hard to find. |
| [03:44.89] | Can you hear me, |
| [03:47.94] | can you see |
| [03:50.89] | Don't you hear me |
| [03:53.89] | don't you see |
| [03:57.09] | We worked, how we worked like |
| [04:02.19] | the devil for our pay |
| [04:05.74] | through the wind, through the snow, |
| [04:10.99] | and through the rain |
| [04:13.69] | Blasting and cutting through Gods country like a knife |
| [04:19.79] | sweat stinging my eyes, there has to be a better life |
| [04:25.44] | Ah but I can hear my childrens' cry |
| [04:31.29] | I can see the tears in their eyes |
| [04:36.49] | memories of those I've left behind |
| [04:42.79] | still ringing in my ears |
| [04:46.49] | Will I ever go back again |
| [04:52.29] | Will I ever see her face again |
| [04:57.49] | I'll never forget that night |
| [05:03.04] | As they waved goodbye to their fathers |
| [05:07.74] | We came from the North, |
| [05:13.14] | and we came from the South |
| [05:16.89] | with picks and with spades |
| [05:20.69] | and a new kind of order |
| [05:25.89] | showing no fear of what lies up ahead |
| [05:31.89] | They'll never see the likes of us again |
| [05:36.44] | Driving the last spike, |
| [05:41.84] | lifting and laying the track |
| [05:45.99] | with blistering hands, |
| [05:51.54] | the sun burning your back |
| [05:55.79] | Oh but I can hear my childrens' cry |
| [06:01.39] | I can see the tears in their eyes |
| [06:06.59] | memories of those I've left behind |
| [06:12.79] | still ringing in my ears |
| [06:16.64] | Well I'll always remember that night, |
| [06:22.24] | As they waved goodbye to their fathers |
| [06:27.29] | We followed the rail, we slept under the stars |
| [06:32.99] | digging in darkness, and living with danger |
| [06:38.89] | showing no fear of what lies up ahead |
| [06:44.89] | they'll never see the likes of us again |
| [06:49.09] | can you hear me |
| [06:52.39] | can you see |
| [06:55.39] | Don't you hear me |
| [06:58.39] | don't you see |