Between the Wars - Billy Bragg

I was a miner

I was a docker

I was a railway man

Between the wars

I raised a family

In times of austerity

With sweat at the foundry

Between the wars

I paid the union and as times got harder

I looked to the government to help the working man

And they brought prosperity down at the armoury

«We're arming for peace me boys»

Between the wars

I kept the faith and I kept voting

Not for the iron fist but for the helping hand

For theirs is a land with a wall around it And mine is a faith in my fellow man

Theirs is a land of hope and glory

Mine is the green field and the factory floor

Theirs are the skies all dark with bombers

And mine is the peace we knew

Between the wars

Call up the craftsmen

Bring me the draughtsmen

Build me a path from cradle to grave

And I’ll give my consent

To any government

That does not deny a man a living wage

Go find the young men never to fight again

Bring up the banners from the days gone by Sweet moderation

Heart of this nation

Desert us not, we are

Between the wars