Lyrics

[Verse 1] My old man was a good old man Skilled in the molding trade In the stinking heat of the iron foundry My old man was made Down on his knees in the molding sand He wore his trade like a company brand He was one of Cyclops' smokey band Yes that was my old man [Verse 2] My old man wasn't really old It's just that I was young And anyone o'er twelve years old Was halfway to the tomb He was loyal to his workmates all his life Gave over his pay-pack to his wife He'd have a few jars on a Saturday night Yes that was my old man [Verse 3] My old man was a union man Worked hard all his days He understood the system And was wise to the boss's ways He said "if you want what's yours by right You'll have to struggle with all your might They'll rob you blind if you don't fight them" That was my old man [Verse 4] My old man was a proud old man At home on the foundry floor Until the day they laid him off And showed him out the door They gave him his card, said, "times are slack We found a machine that has the knack Of doing your job, so don't come back" The end of my old man [Verse 5] My old man was fifty-one What was he to do? A molding craftsman on the dole In 1952 He felt he'd given all he could give So he did what thousands of others did He abandoned hope and the will to live It killed him, my old man [Verse 6] My old man is dead and gone And I am your old man And my advice to you, my child Is to fight back while you can Beware of the man with the silicon chip Hold on to your job with a good firm grip 'Cause if you don't, you've cashed your chips The same as my old man 'Cause if you don't, you've cashed your chips The same as my old man