Down By The Dockyard

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