Top little AUSSIE country number! Proud to say I have some Smiths in my heritage : of the blacksmith, whitesmith, tinsmith, sheetmetal worker, wheelwright, kinds – and my late Beloved was a Sculptor whose favourite medium was steel. :) THE RINGING OF THE STEEL ~ Peter Denahy The old man used to tell me, when I was just a boy He was blessed because he had a job that he enjoyed Not everyone would like it, but to him its main appeal Was the breathing of the bellows, and the ringing of the steel. I started working early, holding horses for my pa It was a little town we lived in; only one man had a car And the old man used to watch him, whenever he drove past He said it's just a fad you know, it's never gonna last. All around the forge the old man strolled Grabbed a bit of iron and shoved it in the coals He was good at what he did, and he cut end on a steel Amongst the breathing of the bellows and the ringing of the steel. The old man's head got greyer, but it didnt slow him down He kept on shoeing horses that were brought from round the town He showed me bits and pieces, and before too long I could make a decent set of shoes and shape and whack 'em on. We'd sometimes have a shoeing race, and sweat from start to end The old man was the master, but sometimes he'd let me win And a crowd of eager passers-by would watch the mad ordeal Amongst the breathing of the bellows and the ringing of the steel. After years of teaching, after years of toil The old man was buried, deep in mountain soil I kept on with the shoeing, but the job was in recess The old man wasn't right about the motor car, I guess. Now I've all but had it and the forge is very quiet But I heat the coals up now and then and tinker round inside I do it for the old man, and remember how I'd feel Amongst the breathing of the bellows, and the ringing of the steel. The ringing of the steel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2j6IviKZ-w Peter Denahy, c.2007 https://www.petedenahy.com/ website https://www.song-list.net/peterdenahy/songs songlist I also like that first verse sentiment, coz my late Beloved also used to say, that he felt gratitude for all the many jobs he'd had in his life, as he'd enjoyed them all for the great variety of experiences and learning that they brought him. Cheers, R-J
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