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