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Steelworker's Lament

from Roots of Life by The Royal Spuds

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lyrics

I used to work at steel mill, making 13 hour days
The wage unfair, the boss don't care, at least I was getting paid
Until that misty morning when the factory burned down
Old John took out his lighter and he burned her to the ground

Enough's enough he said, as he crouched down and lit the fuse
Then from below, a mighty blow, revenge for his abuse
All around me piles of steel and stone came crashing down
I tried to run but realized I wasn't getting out

In the midst of all the chaos John was plotting his escape
He knew full well what he had done to everyone that day
They pushed his buttons oh so hard he felt he had no choice
To stand up to the bigger man and let him hear his voice

Dazed by the explosion and the panic that it brought
I tried to find my footing and make sense of all my thoughts
Then I heard the voice of old John ringing in my head
I focused on the sound and I remembered what he said

I will survive
I'll keep fighting, kicking, screaming for my life
And every breath I take is huge
There's fire all around me, I'm stuck in this steel mill
I danced with the devil, he wants me to heel, but
Giving up will be the last thing that I'll do

Now old John was nothing but a kind, God-fearing man,
but still he kinda lost it when his pay was docked again
Boss had no valid reason to deduct his salary
but simply said: “you haven’t earned enough money for me.

So what I lost on chasing all these slacking employees
I will deduct from payment, give me better quantity”
The boss gave John the crooked arm, coldcocked him on the spot
In front of all the blokes old John was feeling overwrought

The voice of reason
Rang in my ears
It's all I needed to hear
I pulled myself up
By the bootstraps
Made my way out of
That hell

“Enough’s enough!” He cried and rallied workers left and right
I tried my best to not join in, I stayed out of sight
All around, in loud “Hurray!”, they joined into the fray
The fuse rolled out, was lit, and all the workers ran away

About that time the dust had almost gone and settled down
The beams were still aglow, the wood a darker shade of brown
Way up in the distance I heard sirens coming in hot
The entire pandemonium was killed by a single shot

credits

from Roots of Life, released April 2, 2022

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The Royal Spuds Leiden, Netherlands

A bit of punk, a pinch of good old rock music and whole lot of folkie tunes is what The Royal Spuds call throwing a party in style!

Be it studio, festival or concert venue, these guys feel at home everywhere. So, if you want a party, you know where to go! ... more

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