The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #171639   Message #4151716
Posted By: Joe Offer
01-Sep-22 - 04:52 PM
Thread Name: Blacksmith's lovesong-As long as the smoke goes up
Subject: ADD: As Long as the Smoke Goes Upward (J.T. Bill)
I think the song is at the link I posted above: https://marlgray.angelfire.com/cradleylinks/page188.html.
That page has a link to a YouTube Video, and the ten-minute video has the song almost at the end: https://youtu.be/T1_O0vPFgN4?t=477
The chorus is what we have in the first message. I'll transcribe what I hear of the rest, but I can use some help on it. I think I've got it down pretty well.

AS LONG AS THE SMOKE GOES UPWARD: THE CHAINMAKER'S SONG
(Words and music by J.T. Bill)

Charlie lived in the Midlands (?)
Where the skies are grey;
Worked in a cable factory,
Just across the way.
Charlie loved a maiden fair,
Worshipped her, I do declare.
While his hammer he was swinging,
This refrain he would be singing:

CHORUS
As long as the smoke goes upward
So long will I love you dear
All day long mid the factory's din
I'm longing to have you near
I can see your face in the firelight
As I look at the glowing heat
And the sound of each blow on the anvil
Seems to ring out your name so sweet.

Years passed by and the sweethearts
One fine day were wed.
Life seemed to them all sunshine,
Not a cloud overhead.
If by chance some trouble came,
Charlie whispered, "Let's be game. (?)
Love will make our burdens lighter,
And the skies will soon be brighter!"
CHORUS