THREE RIVERS

An old man once told me a story
Of three rivers running through this land of mine
And men who would die to feed their loved ones
Now the work is all gone the rivers run clear again
And who would believe they've seen three rivers running clear

Who am I well I'll tell you I'm Jack Robson
And I'd cut you down with words as well as blows
I used to make the steel down at the foundry
Now it's gone the steel is rust the furnace cold
I had a wife and bairns who felt my kindness
And my belt and my rage when hard times came
They left one day to look for something better
I wonder if they found it

If the wounds upon my body had been money
If the tears I've shed for you had all been gold
If the times that I've been drunk had all been diamonds
Would the love you had for me have been so cold

I'm a welder by trade my name is Wilson
And I built the ships that fought my country's wars
I'd take my lad to see the game at Roker
Where he would dream of being captain of the team
To score a goal and get a winner's medal
And hold the cup for everyone to see
His sisters used to sing of Bobby Shaftoe
And what he'd do when he came home from sea

Those who knew me they all would call me Tommy
A geordie collier to the core
Unsung hero of this country
Who never went away to fight a war
Fought my battles down there at the coal face
Two thousand feet below my home
Until a wiser man said "Tom the war is over
There's nothing left for you now go on home"

What's my name it really doesn't matter
I'm the eyes now blinded by hot steel
I'm the hands all bloody black and broken
I'm the ears that heard the last ship leave
I'm the father crying for his children
I'm the husband begging to his wife
I'm the voice of doubt and fear politicians never hear
As three rivers run on silent to the sea

(lyrics: Mick Tyas / music: Gary Miller)