Can't Get the Wares Away
by Julie Matthews and Chris While
Well we spin and weave from morn ’til night
But we can’t get the wares away
And the foundry flare is a constant sight
But we can’t get the wares away
Well we make it fast and we make it good
But we can’t get the wares away
Now it’s piling up like firewood
’Cause we can’t get the wares away
Oh! We can’t get the wares away
We can’t get the wares away
To the ships in Liverpool bay
Oh! We can’t get the wares away
Well the foundry hammer will soon be still
’Cause we can’t get the wares away
And the gates will close on the cotton mill
If we can’t get the wares away
Well we need a way and we need it fast
’Cause we can’t get the wares away
Or these industries will never last
If we can’t get the wares away
Oh! We can’t get the wares away
We can’t get the wares away
To the ships in Liverpool bay
Oh! We can’t get the wares away
This was written for a BBC radio documentary called 'Tales from
the Towpath' about Daniel Adamson's vision and the building of the
Manchester Ship Canal. Full details and a recording of the programme
can be found here.
As recorded by The Albion Band