Henry's Songbook

Do you see my face
Do you see my face
In your museums
Do you see my face

I walked the line and I laid the track
You never thought that I'd be back
Do you see my face
For the making of the steam roadway
I blasted through the rock and clay
Do you see my face
I left my family and friends so fine
I worked life out to build that line
Do you see my face
But now there's nothing there at all
But some pictures hanging on a wall
Do you see my face

When you're sailing on the sea
I don't expect you'll notice me
Do you see my face
You're sailing in the best of boats
It's 'cos of me the damn thing floats
Do you see my face
I hammered deck and I plated hull
You couldn't find a better skill
Do you see my face
My sweat and craft have made the Clyde
But now it's tears instead of pride
Do you see my face

Do you see my face
Do you see my face
On the tide of history
Do you see my face

I worked through night and I slept through day
I passed my children on the way
Do you see my face
I tunnelled, shovelled, dug and swore
To bring you up that coal black ore
Do you see my face
I fed your needs but I just can't win
Now I'm the enemy within
Do you see my face
My friends have died down that hole
That's blood you're burning on that coal
Do you see my face

Do you see my face
Do you see my face
In your mine of memory
Do you see my face

When you were hungry I gave you bread
When you wanted war I fought and died
You buried me deep you thought I'd gone
But in my daughters and sons I still live on
Do you see my face
Do you see my face
Do you see my face

[1987:] Railways, shipyards and mines are shut down, often to be turned into museums. This is about those who worked out their lives to lay the lines, build the ships and mine the coal and who would never have dreamed that their work would become tourist attractions. (Notes Ian Walker, 'Flying High')