Infant Hercules

Men built from steel, women just as strong
ICI at Wilton, Head Wrightson, and Dorman Long
The legacy that we have left
Is there to see from east to west
Built on the banks of the Tees

Infant Hercules, he made the town we know today
Smoke and fire, and shipyards and the steelworks paved the way
The sky was grey, the air was thick, with chemicals that stick
In the throat and the lungs

Built on the banks of the Tees
This Infant Hercules
Born from grime, born from graft
The world won’t forget Infant Hercules

The warm orange glow from our industry at night
Is home to me, the most comforting of sights
From Eston hills I’m looking down, I look with fondness on my town
Where I was born, I was raised

A small town with bigger hearts and voices to be heard
Betrayed by the powers who swore to protect and serve
We were made from industry, they’ll not forget our history
Where I was born, I was raised

Built on the banks of the Tees
This Infant Hercules
Born from grime, born from graft
The world won’t forget Infant Hercules

We can meet the future, we can write a new page
Leave us our identity, stop changing our name
Smoggie til the day I die, I love that haze across the sky
Where I was born, I was raised
Infant Hercules he must go marching once again

Infant Hercules he must go marching once again
In a different way that was before
Let’s pick this town from off the floor
Where I was born, I was raised

Built on the banks of the Tees
This Infant Hercules
Born from grime, born from graft
The world won’t forget Infant Hercules