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
ah 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 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 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,
and through the rain


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


Ah but I can hear my childrens' cry
I can see the tears in their eyes
memories of those I've left behind

still ringing in my ears
Will I ever go back again
Will I ever see her face again

I'll never forget that night
As they waved goodbye to their fathers


We came from the North,
and we came from the South
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

Oh but I can hear my childrens' cry

I can see the tears in their eyes
memories of those I've left behind
still ringing in my ears
Well I'll always remember that night,
As they waved goodbye to their fathers


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


can you hear me
can you see
Don't you hear me
don't you see