The Unthanks Follow

There’s a call on the docks they’re taking on men
They're taking on men
Idle time’s over, they’re taking on men
So get out of your bed and get down there

Well there’s talk of big paybacks, fifteen-month contracts
For skilled men and labourers, clerks and apprentices
Oh Swan shops to Neptune they’re taking on men
They’re heading in droves to the river

And the gates are wide open they’re taking on men
They're taking on men
There’s keels to be laid in dry dock and dry pen
To build on a fine reputation

Well there’s good lads have died for it, fought with the Clyde for it
Rivaled with Barrow from Wallsend to Jarrow
Now it’s gone in our favour, it’s good times again
I tell you it’s just like old days

And that sweet ring of chains means they’re taking on men
They're taking on men
There’s steel scraping concrete, they’re taking on men
It’s a lullaby straight off the water

Well they’ll haul plate and pipe as the language gets ripe
There’ll be bells ringing, horns blaring, crack of the dawn swearing
Things have never been this good since God knows when
We’ll be sneezing in satin in no time

Oh remember the days they were taking on men
They're taking on men
We took it for granted they’re taking on men
Would always be how we made wages

Ah but some say the needy days turned into greedy days
Now the kings of this industry are Polish and Japanese
And gone are the days they were taking on men
And the quayside’s a drunken man’s playground

Yes, gone are the days they were taking on men
So get back to your bed and your memories

There’s a call on the docks they’re taking on men
Your idle time’s over, they’re taking on men
So get out of your bed and and get down there
Cos they’re heading in droves to the river