Another possibility is one of Graeme Miles many observations on the steel industry around Teeside.

DRIFT FROM THE LAND
(Graeme Miles)

All the young fellows have gone to the factories,
To learn a new trade making iron and steel,
When they pickup their wages they wonder how ever,
They managed on the money they made in the field.

And it's all the young fellows have gone to the city,
All the young fellows have gone to the town,
Where they'll be earning nearly double the money,
They'll ever earn at the harrow and plough.

Down in the valley the sound of a tractor,
Young Jimmy Dickinson sits at the wheel,
But this time next week he'll be in some hot foundry,
Casting the iron or rolling the steel.

Well down in the hedgerow Billy Dowson is working,
The blade of his sickle glints in the bright sun,
But in less than an hour he'll pack up his gear,
His last day of working the land will be done.

Well you can't blame young men for throwing the towel in,
They'll be much better of making iron and steel,
But the drift from the land it will always continue,
Till the money gets better for the man in the field.


CC