Wor Jackie

Beads of sweat cascade from skin
Sinews punch as pistons
The furnace hungers
It's palate honed to men
Enlisted for wrist strength and persistence
Wor Jackie

Then bellows weep and fire burns cold
Grafters enrolled upon coal flats
Good men, each worthy of blue plaques
Wield a blunted pickaxe and poll tax

Some live by steel
And some steal a living
Diligent gentlemen divent
What is the grafter's prize?
Wor jackie?
What is his prize, Wor Jackie?

More baccy in his pouch
More stripes on his trackies
Look at me
Wor Jackie

Asbestos in his lungs
Lead buried 'neath his fingertip
Tooth and nail
Indentations on the surface of skin
Read messages of betrayal in braille
Wor Jackie

Steel arches to mock his spinal abnormality
No break from the back breaking labour
He makes ships, but he is drowning
I make ships, but I am drowning
I am drowning
Wor Jackie

I am drowning
Wor Jackie
Wor Jackie