Down By The Dockyard - David McWilliams

down by the dockyard

the water’s lie still

the big cranes like tombstones surround her

down by the dockyard

the water’s lie still

dead as the city that bounds her

the old woman

wrapped in her long faded shawl

in the doorway she waits for tomorrow

once there was laughter

behind her old walls

now just the grey face of sorrow

the houses are empty

the neighbours all gone

the stones are still standing

but they’re standing alone

as the boat bound for Liverpool

sings her song

the cobble-stones echo the silence

once she stood proud

and she held her head high

'til hate came to rule her

and men told her lies

and father fought son never knowing

the gun became master

and prejudice ruled

a home made for madmen

a haven for fools

still she’s built her own wasteland

in her churches and schools

dead as the children she’s buried