BBC 2006 Radio Ballads; The Song of Steel

CRANEDRIVER
(Julie Matthews)

Me brother said I don't believe it still
They're taking on women at the rolling mill
So I went down and I put in me name
When I turned 18 I was a crane driver
Turned 18 I was a crane driver

With a gentle touch upon the wheel
Make no mistakes with red hot steel
12-hour shifts, me take-home pay
£9 a week for a crane driver
£9 pay for a crane driver

In me black battle dress I was as plain as a mouse
So I sewed on buttons to match me blouse
Pink one day and blue the next
It's warm work for a crane driver
Warm work for a crane driver

I'd tap me foot to the drop hammer
Waiting for the whistle to move that steel
Way up here I'm the queen of the foundry
'Til the boys come home I'm a crane driver
The boys come home I'm a crane driver

Publishing: Circuit Music Ltd