Ed Blann - Netherton (Before the Machines Came) Lyrics

Netherton was a mining town 'til 1852
'Til Noah Hingley chained her down to the banks of the number two
But the pay was good, and the boss was fair
And the shipping trade was booming
Singing hey, Danny don't you break the chain
We were all forging nails 'til the machines came
'Til the wages dropped as the fat cats tried to stay ahead of the game
There were riots and strikes as we fought for our right
But in the end it was all in vain
Now hey, Danny don't you break the chain
My father and my father's father worked the factory line
And as I grew up along the locks I thought from time to time
If I played my cards I'd travel far, and live this world behind
But my mother's voice still echoes to this day
She sang hey, Danny don't you break the chain
Weigh the anchor to hold us fast
These chains of love were built to last
And hey, Danny don't you break the chain
Now I am a man and I've a family of my own
I earn my wage at the linking game, it's the only work I know
And the foreman calls along the line
He calls me out from time to time
Says hey, Danny don't you break the chain
My mind is set for labour when I step out of my door
And when the day is done I leave my work on the factory floor
Because links of steel are easy to heal
But a happy is home worth the strain
And I am never gonna break that chain
Weigh the anchor to hold us fast
These chains of love were built to last
And nothing's gonna take my love away
And all the links are hands in hands
And every man across the land sing
I am never gonna break the chain
No I am never gonna break the chain
I am never gonna break the chain