This is a song written by Peter Bond who is making a little bit of a comeback from what I've heard. He's been to some singarounds and is appearing at a concert at the "Ormskirk Comes Alive" festival in July. Details HERE

Back to the song. It's called "Sticks and Stones" and appears on Peter's LP "Awkward Age" (1983). It's a great song and I've been singing it for ages.

Sticks and Stones
(Peter Bond)

On Summer days we kids would play explorers on the moor
Dusk would fall, the curlew's call would make your senses thrill
School was done, bread to be won, again those paths we wore
Like moles we tore the iron ore from underneath the hill

I've suffered sticks I've suffered stones
It's words that broke my bones

Then came the clout, the ore played out and we all drew our cards
It could've been worse, though we'd no work at least we'd got our health
The years went past we slowed up fast, can't breath or move a yard
The choking crippling iron disease has taken us by stealth


We asked for compensation but they can't fill in the form
The spirit of the law's a still small voice that's never heard
It isn't silicosis and you haven't lost an arm
The letter of the law has left me choking on a word

The history of industry's a booming tourist theme
Hairy chested songs of toil leave many a well oiled throat
But when they sing of men of steel I'll bet they never dream
That I've got lungs of solid iron and I can't sing a note

Welfare State's another word that's sticking in my throat
All I've got's a doctor's note to show how much they care
A Latin word would feel the same by any other name it's pain
Welfare to hell so make me well God knows I've paid the fare


Cheers
Mark