Rod Clements was a member of the U.K. band Lindisfarne. This is a solo song from decades
later about the building of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam in the 1930s. Odd Man Out Album/CD 2006.
References to his work:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Clements
http://www.rodclements.com/lf.html
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rod-clements-mn0000291833/biography
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQM5XLYGHMQ
Well I m working in the canyon, I ve got a shovel in my hand
To put a dam across the river, bring power to the land
The sun s beating like a hammer, everyday it s the same
Then I lay me down in Ragtown, beneath a blanket on a frame
Well I was tunneling the bedrock, I thought I had it made
But the heat got to me, they sent the ice brigade
They brought water and a stretcher, layed me up all day
Then they sent me back to Ragtown, I got no pay
Well there s a jumbo drilling, and a spoil leak filling
It s 97 in the shade, there s a great day coming
When the turbines are humming, if we only get the damn thing made
Sometimes I get to wonder, if I can make it through
I hear the dynamite thunder, I see the wrecking crew
St. Peter don t you worry, send me anywhere
Long as it ain t Ragtown, then I don t care
There s a scaleman swinging, and a pickhead ringing
Don t it look a long way down, keep your hat on tight
You re gonna be all right, if you only keep your feet on the ground
Come on little honey, come on and say you will
I got enough to get a house built, up in Boulderville
I ll pay a quarter on the dollar, to the company man
And if it gets us out of Ragtown, I ll do it if I can
And if it gets us out of Ragtown, I ll do it if I can
And if it gets us out of Ragtown, I ll do it if I can
